Isabella Hollingsworth

Teaching dance is the paramount passion of her life, and over the past 25 years, she has dedicated herself to continually evolving as a dancer. Her journey as a student included studying ballet and competitive dance at renowned studios in Northwest Indiana and Chicago, such as LM Premier Dance and the Ruth Page School of Dance. To further refine her skills, she attended ballet summer intensives with Ballet Chicago and the American Ballet Theatre.

Her educational pursuits led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Governors State University. During her college years, she served as the President and Public Relations Officer of the GSU Dance Company. In collaboration with faculty, she played a key role in advocating for the introduction of a minor in dance, which was later approved by the Illinois State Board of Higher Education. In December 2019, she proudly became the first person to graduate with that minor, achieving Latin Honors.

For the past 6 years, she has been actively teaching and choreographing. Her instructional approach encompasses comprehensive elements, including technique, safe stretching, strength building, and a deep dive into dance history and terminology. She prioritizes not only providing students with the experience of dance but also ensuring they comprehend its rich history and become well-rounded performers.

In her teaching philosophy, she draws inspiration from progressive ballet technique (PBT), utilizing props to instill a robust foundation in ballet. This approach incorporates exercises targeting muscle memory, core stability, and flexibility. Additionally, she integrates yoga into the curriculum, serving both as a physical tool for cross-training dancers' muscles and a means of instilling mindfulness and self-confidence through meditation practices.

As a dance educator, her overarching goal is to cultivate a positive and inclusive learning environment, fostering both the growth of students as dancers and as individuals. She firmly believes that dance transcends being solely a physical activity; it serves as a powerful avenue for self-expression, building self-esteem, and nurturing a sense of community.