Dance Classes
Anna is currently teaching a very limited basis so that she can focus on promoting sustainable living through green personal training. (This eight week program features private and group sessions on nutrition and fitness, but more importantly helps trainees lower their carbon emissions on a daily basis).
However you can never keep Anna off the dance floor entirely, and she continues to teach the Friday Night Beginner's class at Starlite Dance Club every three weeks (please call 408-745-7827 to see when Anna is next on the schedule. During this group class Anna will teach three beginning ballroom dances, selected from: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Cha Cha, Swing, Salsa, or Two Step.
As well, Anna will be teaching through Friday Night Waltz. Please check Friday Night Waltz for the schedule of her next group classes. These classes are in the vintage dance styles. There will generally be two dances selected per night, and will be such dances as: Rotary waltz, Cross-step waltz, Polka, Viennese waltz, Redowa, the Congress of Vienna, the Bohemian National Polka, etc.
As part of her committment to fitness and wellness, Anna is teaching quite a bit at local gyms. She is teaching a wide variety of exercise classes, including cardio dance, yoga, pilates, and sculpt. Some of the gyms have asked her to teach partner ballroom dancing - so there are chances to take dance classes at Equinox Gym or the Decathlon Club. Check the Group Exericse page for more information.
Anna loves all styles of movement - and is currently exploring a new interest in contact improv dance. She will continue to practice, perform, and compete with her partner, Gavin Calkins. Anna is also excited to have time to socially dance with her friends and husband.
When Anna taught full time, she taught in many different styles. If you are looking for a private lesson instructor, please specify which of these styles you are interested in so that Anna can recommendone of her collegues to you.
International or American style Ballroom dances
Anna has studied and competed in all four categories of ballroom dance. She competed in the 2006 season in Professional Latin (Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive). She is currently competing in Professional American Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo) with Gavin Calkins. She also enjoys International Standard dancing (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep), and had many students who were studying American Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz). She likes to think of each of these dances as a language - some are more like Italian, melodious and fun, some more like French, sexy and intimate. Each dance has its own steps, character, and feeling that springs from the melody and rhythm of the music. If you are interested in competition style dancing, please let Anna know which style(s) and she can recommend a good teacher for you.Swings!
There are many, many kinds of swing in the world - the California state dance, West Coast Swing, is one of Anna's favorites due to its emphasis on musicality and playful style. As well, Anna has many years experience in Lindy Hop swing. Anna can help you find the local teachers, group classes, and parties for a variety of swing styles.NightClub Dances
Night Club dances are very popular at venues around the Bay Area. Salsa, Merengue, Hustle, and Nightclub Two Step are all dances you can use out on the town. Anna is well connected to the salsa community through her dance partner, Gavin, who is well known in the salsa world.Vintage Partner dances
There are many dances from the days gone by that people still enjoy dancing today! Dances such as polka, rotary waltz, redowa waltz and mazurka are a lot of fun and can be used at Vintage style parties such as Friday Night Waltz, Gaskells Ball or the Stanford Viennese Ball. If you'd like to learn these dances for a particular event, please leave yourself at least a month to prepare - treat each dance style like learning a language - you couldn't learn Spanish all in one day! Anna will help you find a teacher who can prepare you for that upcoming event.Solo dance styles
Anna has danced solo styles her whole life - from jazz and musical theater to Irish Ceili dancing and hip hop. If you have a special need for a dance class or event, please contact her using the email address below so that she can help you meet your goals.