Dance Instructor
Jen Ray is always working creatively through purposeful action to be a positive infusion wherever she is. For over a decade, she has been engaging with young people as an instructor, choreographer, mentor & director. With initiatives such as The JaM Youth Project & Dancinema, she is dedicated to cultivating well-rounded, critical-minded & multi-talented individuals.
She specializes in jazz and ballet, with an emphasis on Vaganova technique, vernacular jazz, and developmentally-appropriate content in all of her classes. She has trained in a wide range of styles (Lyrical, Contemporary, Irish, Ukrainian, Musical Theater, Pointe, Samba, Tap to name a few) and has a good understanding of universal dance and training principles that can connect with her students no matter what their experience level is in the styles they are learning. Ms. Jen is always continuing her education so she can bring the best to her students.
When she's not being "Ms. Jen" teaching dance, she is active as a teacher, advocate for standards in education. With Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (2015-2022) & guiDANCE experience (2017-2022) she was a leader in the movement to keep youth happy, healthy & safe in dance. She was a co-writer of widely used policies & curricula used by major organizations & was a panelist at the NCOSE Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Summit.
10 years ago, while earning her B.A. in Film Studies at the University of British Columbia Vancouver, she launched Dancinema, a bi-coastal and international company producing dancefilms, workshops & events. Dancinema screened at festivals, was selected for articles in Dance Teacher Magazine & collaborated on performances such as with The JaM Project (Dancerpalooza's 25Live! & The Kennedy Center). She was a presenter at Utah Dance Film Festival, Idaho Screendance Festival, Screendance Symposium & is a co-producer of Frameform, a show on movies, moving & everything in between, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Of all of the things she does, her favourite is being a teacher & a consistent, supportive presence for her students. Dance is a wonderful opportunity to learn about music, culture, the body, personal expression & much more. She loves working with dancers to nurture their spark of interest into an individual radiance. Ms. Jen is thrilled to be returning 24/7 this season and can't wait to dance with you. Ms. Jen will be teaching on Monday evenings at the studio - come dance with her!
