Lauren began her dance
training at Vella School of Dance in 1987 under the instruction
of Rosanne Slifko. She studied ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap until
she graduated in 2000. While at Vella, Lauren student-taught classes
in ballet, jazz, and tap, and assisted with choreography for the
annual shows. For eight years she was part of a competition group
called "Totally Tap" that placed each spring and received
two "overalls" at Dance Masters of Pennsylvania competitions.
In 2001 and 2002, Lauren collaborated with Molly Held to form a
summer dance program in her community, offering classes in ballet,
jazz, tap, strength and stretching, and Pilates. Lauren’s
teaching experience also extends to Bellefonte, PA where she taught
beginning and intermediate level tap classes at the Kennedy Dance
Centre from 2003-2004.
While a student at Duquesne University, Lauren was a member of the Duquesne Dance Company, a jazz and modern, student-run dance troupe who performed at local events and competitions. Upon transferring to Penn State University in 2002, Lauren became a member and choreographer of “Tapestry,” Penn State's Tap Company. During her two years with Tapestry, Lauren served as the advertising chair person, and had the privilege of studying under Tap masters, Heather Cornell, Roxane Butterfly, Ayodele Casel, Jeannie Hill, Gill Stroming, and Jason Samuels. At the spring 2004 show at Penn State, Lauren combined her poetry with tap and created the first spoken-word performance piece for Tapestry entitled “Resistance Tap.” This piece described the struggles that the company endured to receive proper rehearsal and performance space on the Penn State campus, as well as the dancers’ amazing spirit and unfaltering dedication to tap.
Lauren recently became a member of Jade Dance Project, a professional tap company created by and under the direction of Sarah Mason. Jade is a rhythm tap company that prides itself on technique and versatility. Jade’s credits include a performance at “Sunrise on Juniata,” an art exhibition in Lewistown, PA and “Women in Tap: Their Voices, Their Visions,” a full length performance honoring the wonderful women of tap at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in July 2004.
While a student at Duquesne University, Lauren was a member of the Duquesne Dance Company, a jazz and modern, student-run dance troupe who performed at local events and competitions. Upon transferring to Penn State University in 2002, Lauren became a member and choreographer of “Tapestry,” Penn State's Tap Company. During her two years with Tapestry, Lauren served as the advertising chair person, and had the privilege of studying under Tap masters, Heather Cornell, Roxane Butterfly, Ayodele Casel, Jeannie Hill, Gill Stroming, and Jason Samuels. At the spring 2004 show at Penn State, Lauren combined her poetry with tap and created the first spoken-word performance piece for Tapestry entitled “Resistance Tap.” This piece described the struggles that the company endured to receive proper rehearsal and performance space on the Penn State campus, as well as the dancers’ amazing spirit and unfaltering dedication to tap.
Lauren recently became a member of Jade Dance Project, a professional tap company created by and under the direction of Sarah Mason. Jade is a rhythm tap company that prides itself on technique and versatility. Jade’s credits include a performance at “Sunrise on Juniata,” an art exhibition in Lewistown, PA and “Women in Tap: Their Voices, Their Visions,” a full length performance honoring the wonderful women of tap at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in July 2004.
