Diana’s talent and ambition as a performer lead her to receive a full scholarship to Florida School of the Arts where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in dance. Following graduation, she moved to Orlando and danced professionally with Southern Ballet Theater from 1993-97. While in Orlando, she was asked to be on faculty with the Southern Ballet Theatre to teach the children and apprentice program. She taught at several schools implementing modern programs and competition teams.

 

After suffering a back injury, she returned home to the Bay Area and began sharing her education and love for dance locally. Always eager to expand her knowledge and experience as a performer and dance teacher, she began training as a ballroom dancer. She placed in the top 5 in her first ballroom competition style of “American Rhythm,” and held the title for four years. Having accomplished her goal in the ballroom arena, she set her sights on even a larger endeavor, to instill in others the love for dance, the proper education and technique, and their ability to uncover their talent as a dancer – and so Dance Evolutions was born in May of 2005.

 

Diana’s experience as a student as well as a teacher inspired her to create a space where each student receives individual attention, where their confidence and esteem is nurtured, and their technique and ability is developed. Diana’s unique style of instruction allows the student to learn at their own pace, while receiving the foundations needed to build a strong dancer’s body and a positive mind and spirit. These fundamental concepts unique to the dance world are culminated in Diana’s strong choices in staff, artistic integrity, and dance space. Diana sought out the best floors (State of the Art Omara Sprung Floors) and the best space for a dancer with high ceilings and large studios. These choices helped Diana’s studio grow and allowed her to move into a larger space after only being open for one year. Diana moved all 200 students to an environment conducive to inspiration, long lines of the body, high jumps and lifts.

 

Diana’s dance company quickly became known as the preparatory school for any dancer seeking a professional education. She’s helped to place several students in a number of prestigious dance programs, including: Florida School of the Arts (on full scholarship), Fordham University NYC, Florida State University’s School of Dance, University of Florida’s Dance Program, P.A.C.E. in NYC , The New School in NYC, SUNY Buffalo Musical Theatre, New York University, Kennesaw State University Dance Program, Oklahoma City University Dance Dept., University Of Santa Cruz Dance Program, and University of Central Florida Dance Program.

 

Many of Diana’s students have also auditioned and were accepted into the following summer intensives: American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, Joffery Ballet and Contemporary Summer Intensive, The Rock Summer Intensive, Harrid Conservatory, The Rockette Experience, The New Jersey Dance Project, Miami City Ballet Summer Program, Alvin Ailey’s Summer program, and scholarship students at New York City Dance Alliance and Showstoppers State Dance, and Tribe. Diana also has had students dance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Moscow Ballet Nutcracker, Tampa Bay Ballet Nutcracker (as Clara), and Miami City Ballet’s Nutcracker.

 

From 2009-13, Diana competed in the professional theatre arts/cabaret division of ballroom dancing. She placed 4th in the Open Theatre Arts Division at the Millennium Dancesport, 3rd in Rising Star, and 7th in Open at the Florida State Dancesport Championships. In 2010, Diana finished 8th in the United States and 9th in the World at the United States Ballroom Dance Championships, took 1st place at the Hollywood Dancesport in California, came in 7th at the Ohio Star Ball and came in 5th at the Open Southeastern States Dancesport. She also won the title for the Professional Rising Star Division.

 

Diana since has been hired to perform in many professional shows across Florida. She’s been a member of Florida Dance Masters, Certified Zumba Instructor, National Dance Council of America, Tarpon Chamber, BBB, Keep it Local and is currently a member of the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

 

Diana has judged for some nationally renowned dance competitions such as Starpower and the U.S. Ambassador Pageant. She is very excited to be able to share her dance education with students and teachers all over the United States! It is an honor to be chosen to judge.

 

Diana spends time in NYC and continues her education through several classes at Peridance, Alvin Ailey, City Center. She also recently traveled San Francisco and has attended classes at Alonzo King Lines from Kai Davis and LeeWei Chao. Continued education is so important to Miss Diana, so she can always bring the most cutting edge training to your children!