Chance to Dance
Celebrating 29 years of quality dance education for the children of RI.
JUMP FEET FIRST INTO THE ARTS!
JUMP FEET FIRST INTO THE ARTS!
Jamie Arnold is a local Rhode Islander who began dance training at three years old through Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio in Warwick where she studied for 10 years. She graduated college with an A.A. in Liberal Arts from CCRI in 2007 and studied painting at the Marchutz School of Art in France during that same year where she visited sites that artists Van Gogh and Cezanne lived and worked. Jamie received her B.A. in Dance from RIC in 2011 and attended the American Dance Festival on a scholarship that summer. She has also attended the Bates Dance Festival. Jamie has been a certified Kripalu yoga teacher for two years and believes that yoga is a true healer in a myriad of ways. She teaches various movement classes to local children including basic movement classes through Chance to Dance, modern dance at Festival Ballet and dance for musical theatre at Trinity Repertory. Jamie has danced professionally with many local choreographers including Katie McNamara, Betsy Miller, Cecilia Seaward, Stephanie Turner and Melody Ruffin Ward. Jamie is also the co-director, choreographer and dancer of a local company called Urban Coastal Dance where the goals aim to promote health and wellness, environmental awareness and community involvement through dance, education and performance. Her most recent artistic pursuit is being a member of Heather Ahern's modern dance company, Aerplaye.
Staff
Beginning dance at the age of five, Christena studied the majority of her dance training with Rosemary Hambly Medeiros, as well as classes under Herci Marsden. Christena attended the Dance Teachers Club of Boston’s Dance Teacher Training course in which she graduated with her Teaching Certificate in 1987. Christena studied for 4 years at the Boston Conservatory of Music as a Major in Dance. During that time she had many performances including the Jerry Lewis Telethon, a Benefit performance with Madeline Kahn, she performed with Tony award winner Thommie Walsh, Ballet Master Lance Westergard from New York, and has also performed with The Merrimack Lyric Opera Company as well as numerous Boston Conservatory performances. While attending The Boston Conservatory of Music, Christena, in her senior year was an assistant teacher in Ballet to Dance Department Chairman, Yasuko Tokunaga and graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance.
Christena’s teaching experience began as an assistant to Rosemary Medeiros from 1984-1987, she then established the first Dance Program in Ballet at the Woonsocket YMCA in 1987, where she taught and directed this program. After completing her BFA degree Christena taught at Deane Dance Studio and Kimberly’s School of Dance. In 1998 Christena began teaching the Chance to Dance program for Dance Alliance of RI. In 2003 Christena was appointed Artistic Director of the program, progressing to be appointed Administrator in 2012 which is now getting ready for their 28th program. Christena has engaged her students at Kids 1 University, RIC, and Providence Convention Center. Christena is a 4 time presenter at the RIAHPERD Conference’s (Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). Christena was awarded RIAHPERD’S 2004 Dance Educator of the Year title. As well as owning her own studio in collaboration with her sister, Christena has been a guest artist at St Mary’s Academy and the Jewish Community Day School.
Christena’s teaching experience began as an assistant to Rosemary Medeiros from 1984-1987, she then established the first Dance Program in Ballet at the Woonsocket YMCA in 1987, where she taught and directed this program. After completing her BFA degree Christena taught at Deane Dance Studio and Kimberly’s School of Dance. In 1998 Christena began teaching the Chance to Dance program for Dance Alliance of RI. In 2003 Christena was appointed Artistic Director of the program, progressing to be appointed Administrator in 2012 which is now getting ready for their 28th program. Christena has engaged her students at Kids 1 University, RIC, and Providence Convention Center. Christena is a 4 time presenter at the RIAHPERD Conference’s (Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). Christena was awarded RIAHPERD’S 2004 Dance Educator of the Year title. As well as owning her own studio in collaboration with her sister, Christena has been a guest artist at St Mary’s Academy and the Jewish Community Day School.
"Dance is a performing art and performing is a part of the learning experience. Performing is not about smiling the biggest or doing all the steps correctly. It is about being present in the moment, dancing with and not competing against the other dancers on stage, and sharing with the audience."
Christena Murphy,
Director and Teacher
Director and Teacher
Jamie Arnold,
Teacher
Teacher
Gabriel Spellberg,
Teacher
Teacher
Gabe began his dance training in San Rafael, CA at Marin Dance Theatre under the direction of former Royal Ballet soloist Margaret Swarthout. He also trained with Lines Ballet School in San Francisco, Hubbard Street Dance Center in Chicago, IL, Ballet Chicago, the Ailey School in New York City, and Festival Ballet Providence. He is currently a senior at Brown University and will be pursuing a career in education (if he survives until graduation). He is THRILLED to have to the opportunity to teach with Chance to Dance for a second year, and cannot wait to see everyone up and dancing.
Jennifer Tilley,
Teacher
Teacher