Tarua hall

I hail from sunny Southern California born into a military family. I was fortunate to travel and live out of the states where Cuba was my absolute favorite. My mother put me in dance classes when I was 2 1/2 as I was highly uncoordinated. I would fall down frequently but could not stop moving. She nor I knew what journey I'd be on and how much of an impact dance would eventually have on my life. She searched tirelessly for the dance studio that felt just like home. With my grandmother's help, they found an extraordinary woman who would forever change my life, Jocelyn K. Wilson. She was magical and knew more about you than you knew about yourself. Her passion literally jumped out of her skin and into my soul. She was my second mother and taught me everything about what it meant to be a dancer and trained me like a warrior. I was her most prized pupil.

Jocelyn K. Wilson offered me a scholarship and inspired me to train beyond my home. She sent me to conventions where I was grateful to have been influenced and taught by dance icons such as Sam Watson, Joe Tremaine, Pattie Obey, and the late Doug Caldwell and Gus Giordano. In my generation of dancing you danced your butt off until you dropped, you trained in every style and technique, no tears, no excuses. Faking training and discipline was simply not an option. These mentors reminded me to do the work (even when others didn't) and to get up each time I fell. I did just that.

As an early adult I realized I was unique and had the ability to pull artistic creativity out of young humans, pushing them beyond limits imagined. My choices in music and athletic yet whimsical choreography made it evident that I was born to be a creator. I have instructed students for over 20 years and can still say that I love what I do. My talents ranging from teaching technique, choreographing award winning delights, coaching dance teams, and successfully directing concerts, have aged like fine wine.

The most influential time in my dance career was meeting my best friend, Tessandra Chavez, who invited me to direct Unity Dance Ensemble's apprentice company for over 10 years and Unity San Diego for 5 years. My calling had emerged and I fell completely in love with my new found exploration as a choreographer. It became a welcomed duty to bring harmony and encourage individual artistic freedom, while facilitating a home for so many talented dancers. Represented by MSA, I later got my big break as a professional choreographer on China’s famous show "Strictly Come Dancing” (Season 3) and with my debut on Lifetime Network choreographing for "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" (Season 2) in LA.

I believe that in order to elevate young dancers, we have to fuel their minds with the belief that they are destined for greatness. Taking my class is to experience the horizon and emerge as a phoenix. It's a pleasure to offer guidance and have a profound influence on our aspiring artists at Visionary!