A little about T:

• Where are You From? “Trucksville, PA”

• Did you come from a family that was already interested in dance? “No.”

Life as a dancer:

• What is the most memorable performance you’ve seen? “A Chorus Line, this past fall. I truly connected with the play. It brought me to tears.”

• Why did you first become interested in dance? “My mom signed me up at age 5 with some of my girlfriends. They all eventually quit, and I stuck with it. I always loved dancing, but when I started competitions around age 10 it just became my life.”

• What performances, when looking back on your years in dance, you would you name as your highest points? “The last time I performed for my grandmother was one of the highest points. She was truly my biggest fan, and she always had such a big smile on her face when I performed. Oddly enough, performing at our annual talent show was always one of my favorite events. I got to show off my talent to my peers. I never played any sports, but Dancing was my sport of the Arts.”

• Is there a specific dancer, choreographer, or even a composer, who has inspired you as a dancer? “I think Fred Astaire is an amazing tap dancer. His feet were so clean, and he made every move look so easy. I am such a crazy fan that when I was in California, we found his grave site and laid flowers for him.”

Working in dance:

• For how many years have you taught dance? “I was student-teaching when I was 13, and full-time teaching at 16. So total, it’s been 15 years.”

• How would you compare the pressures and responsibilities of performing and teaching? Which role do you prefer? “When you teach, you pass along the skills that have been taught to you, and you try to perfect each student to the best of their ability. When they get up on that stage, you are responsible for what they look like and how well they do. You never know what they are going to do, so there is a pretty intense pressure to be a good teacher. Performing is more exciting! You determine how well you perform. You determine how hard you push yourself, so you have complete control over how well you do. They are both very rewarding in their own way. I love being on stage. When I perform, it somehow makes me more alive. When I teach, I get a great satisfaction knowing that I passed along my passion, and maybe one little girl or boy will end up loving dance as much as I do.”

• When it comes to dance and the dance industry, you are often the go-to person for advice on…? “Tap is my strongest point, but I do know a lot of about other styles of dance. When it comes to products, I am well informed.