I have a LOT of energy, and 2 of my favorite ways to apply that energy are learning and teaching. It feels a little strange to consider myself an "expert" in certain fields, but I have spent a lot of time refining a few skills that I love sharing with anyone who's interested.

DANCE:
Swing dancing is the ultimate recreational combination of 3 great loves of mine: people, movement, and music. I specialize in teaching beginner dancers, which requires not only a technical grasp of the mechanics of the dance but also a solid understanding of the psycho-social dymanics of learning a new partnered skill. Oh, and making people laugh...laughter is an ESSENTIAL part of the learning process!

DIGITAL STORYTELLING:
"Digital storytelling" generally refers to the art of combining digital still photos, narration files and music using video-editing software to create a 3-5 minute long story. While working for the Seattle-based nonprofit Bridges to Understanding (www.bridgesewb.org) from 2005-8 I taught at digital storytelling workshops for both adult teachers/volunteers and children locally and abroad. I am comfortable teaching the technological elements of digital storytelling (basic digital photography, Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, PhotoStory for Windows, and Windows Movie Maker) in addition to the soft skills elements (how to tell a story visually, storyboarding, editing, and script-writing).