My name is Christine Ortiz-Rivera. I am a senior dance education major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a concentration in jazz dance. I graduate in December 2011 with a BFA degree. As far as dancing goes, I am trained in the disciplines of jazz, tap, ballet, modern, and contemporary. I grew up training at Steps Dance Center in Woodstock, GA since the age of six. I also trained at other locations growing up such as The Georgia Ballet, Dance 101 and the Atlanta Ballet. I received a Presidential Scholarship to attend the University of the Arts after graduating highschool.
At the University of the Arts, I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing faculty of teachers as well as choreographers such as Roni Koresh, Christopher Huggins, Tommy Waheed Evans, Douglas Becker, Molly Misgalla, and Donald Lunsford in ensembles. Over the summers, I have trained at The Jofrey Ballet's Jazz and Contemporary Intensive as well as Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. I also was given a full scholarship to train at The Gus Giordano Dance School for six weeks this summer in Chicago. Professionally I worked with the Xhale Dance Company for two seasons performing at venues such as the Philadelphia Fringe Festival as well as the Painted Bride Theater. I have also performed in the Garden State Dance Festival, the Governor's Honors Program, in Universal Studios, and on Royal Carribean Cruiselines.
Attending the University of the Arts has given me a bigger appreciation for choreography. I had been given many priveleges to choreograph works through my school within choreography classes and I have also choreographed pieces for various dance studios and dance competitions. My love for teaching has also grown being an Education major. I began teaching in the 8th grade at my home studio Steps Dance Center in Woodstock, GA. From there I have gone on to teach at various other studios including Joanne Collier's School of Dance in Georgia as well as En Lair Dance Academy in Philadelphia, PA and Adams Dance Academy in New Jersey. I have been teaching for almost ten years now and look forward to owning my own studio way later in the future.
