THE DIRECTOR~Stephania Sengpiehl-
When I was was in preschool I was given an assignment to draw a picture of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I drew a dance class. My teacher wrote on the top of the drawing, "When I grow up I want to be a dance teacher".
My training started at age two, it did not take long before was taking more then just a few classes a week. By the time I was ten I was taking 3-5 classes a day, 6 days a week. At the age of 15 I was promoted to soloist in a pre-professional company. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a dance teacher, so I began student teaching and helping backstage at performances around the age of 12. I graduated from High school at 16 and started to seriously focus on teaching dance. I was invited at that time to join the National Tap Ensemble but chose to turn it down to further my education on teaching- which I feel is my calling in life. I attended a special program at Belhaven Collage in conjunction with Ballet Magnificat where I took classes in dance, teaching techniques, anatomy, child development, child psychology, nutrition, music, public relations and injury prevention and treatment. I then studied at Boston College through their Irish Studies Program Irish dance, Irish language and I took the TCRG training class. I came home and became the director of the preschool program and Irish dance program at a large 500 student dance school and the assistant director for a professional ballet company. I continued to take classes and continue my education in many styles of dance. I considered taking the TCRG exam, but after careful thought and consideration I decided that was not the direction I wanted for me or my students. I have a very strong personal conviction that dance is a gift. It is my hearts desire to pass on not only a gift of dance to my students but a love for others and a desire to use their gifts to bring joy to others. To accomplish this goal I felt the best way was to remain separate for the "traditional Irish Dance Organizations".
In my long dance career I have won many awards, too many to list, in ballet, tap, Irish and choreography. I have trained with and performed with many famous dancers. My Irish dance training included many of the worlds top teachers. I have trained with well known ballet and tap teaches as well. Friends that I performed with include: performers form Stomp, Bring in the Noise bring in the Funk, Tap Dogs, professional ballet companies, Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. My favorite performance was standing right alongside my favorite dancer, Gregory Hines.
I have been teaching dance in Loudoun County for 15 years. I am proud of my unique school and the loving family atmosphere that we have. In all of my training I have never come across anywhere like it. During the difficult days, I remember looking out audiences seeing the smiles of children or the tears of joy at senior homes. I remember times when students reach a goal or do something they thought they could not. I remember watching my students performing from my place in the wings with tears of joy in my eyes. And then I remember why I do what I do.
I still have the drawing I made in preschool and I still want to be a dance teacher when I grow up.
Cathleen Koplets-
Cathleen's bio to come.