About the Director
Jennifer has danced since her early childhood years with extensive training in Classical Ballet as well as Jazz and Tap. She began teaching at the age of 14 and then went on to further her studies at Skidmore college where she received her B.S. degree in Dance, with a minor in Early Childhood Education. At Skidmore she studied many forms of dance including Creative Dance, Character Dance, Bharata Natyam (Classical Indian Dance), Tap, Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Music and Acting for Dancers, Choreography, and Improvisation with an emphasis on teaching dance.
Jennifer has completed teacher training at the Dance Institute for Teachers in Seattle, WA, the Nutmeg Ballet Teachers’ Program in Torrington, CT, and at Barbara Mettler Studios, studying the methods of teaching creative dance and modern and ballet techniques. She completed a Little Dancing Yogis™ Teacher Training and is certified to teach Creative Kids Yoga® for children ages 2-12. In addition, she is a certified Heroic Life Coach. She is a member of the National Dance Association, Dance and the Child International, and the International Association for Creative Dance.
As a teacher, Jennifer creates a safe environment for students to be themselves while challenging them to discover their full potential. By encouraging students to work together and learn from one another, she fosters mutual respect and a strong sense of community.
Jennifer started the Creative Dance Center in 1995 to share her love of dance with the community. She has been sharing her knowledge and love of dance with children for over thirty years. When she is not dancing, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Jennifer McGowan, Director