“I encourage my students to be their own movement investigators, knowing there is no ‘one way’ to do anything. All my work highlights the importance of movement quality, intention, and the understanding of the body as a tool for communication. My passion for movement and all of its wonder and benefits spills into every modality I teach.”

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Sara Lavan is the founder of Local Motion Project where she serves as Executive and Artistic Director. She creates, curates, and facilitates programming including adult movement classes, continuing education, youth dance classes, creative community workshops, and school residencies. Here she is the director of the LMP Collective, a multigenerational dance company, and the LMP Youth ensemble. Her dance training began in Sandy Hook/Newtown Connecticut studying ballet with Marsah Ismailoff Mark. Her experience was creative, positive and encouraged artistry. These beginnings set her on a dance path that was dynamic and never felt limited. Sara received her BA from New York University. In New York she studied with many with Igal Perry and Deborah Damast being the most influential on her journey, and showing up in her teaching and creating to this day. When she moved to Alexandria VA, she was b fortunate to learn from, dance with, and choreograph for Choreographers Collaboration Project which has been an essential part of her growth as an artist. Sara received her Pilates training at the Kane School of Core Integration. She has continuing education from Kinected Pilates Center, Balanced Body University, Franklin Method with Eric Franklin, BrainDance developed by Anne Green Gilbert, Pregnancy and Postpartum fitness with Debora Goodman, MSPT, arts integration from the University of Delaware, Language of Dance (LOD) from 92nd Street Y, dance integration from Kennedy Center’s Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) program, and National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Sara has been published in Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher, and Dance Studio Life. She has presented at NDEO conferences, partnered with Smithsonian Institute and Folklife Festival on programming, and facilitated professional development for Arena Stage. She is currently a teaching artist with the Kennedy Center’s CETA program and Teaching Artists Present online library, as well as Encore University, an online program for aging creatively.   Contact: slavan@localmotionproject.org

“In my ballet classes, I fuse classical dance training with my knowledge as a Pilates Instructor to provide students the skills needed to safely develop their technique in a body-friendly way. I believe each student should be able to move well for a long time and to cultivate that skill in a positive environment.”

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Christine teaches Mind-Body Ballet and Private Pilates at LMP. She grew up in Tucson, Arizona and since then has devoted 20+ years to the art of classical ballet as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. In 2009 Christine was introduced to Pilates and found it provided strength and control in her dance technique, as well as a method to both prevent and rehabilitate injuries. Her desire to share this with her students led to continuing her studies of movement, anatomy, and kinesiology through a contemporary, anatomical approach to Pilates. She studied at Balance Pilates Training Center in Richmond, Virginia and obtained her full certification as a STOTT PILATES® Certified Instructor in 2011. This includes training in all levels of Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Stability Chair, and Barrels as well as training in the use of props and exercise modifications through the Injuries and Special Populations (ISP) course. Christine is a Merrithew™ Lead Instructor Trainer specializing in offering STOTT PILATES® certification courses to aspiring Pilates instructors. She is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She currently teaches at multiple studios throughout NoVA, and is Owner/Operator of Breathe Pilates Place in La Plata, MD. She currently practices multiple aerial arts including: flying trapeze, lyra, acrobatic partner balancing, and dance trapeze. She has practiced yoga for 15 years and believes that the mind/body/spirit connection is at the core of all forms of movement. Learn about Christine's work with Breathe Pilates Place.

Tabata Vara, founder of Totema Dance Company based in Washington DC. She began her dance training at the age of 18, where she trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Contemporary. In 2022, Tabata earned a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Towson University, where she received the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Award under the mentorship of Alison Seidenstricker. Tabata's artistic passion lies in creating immersive environments and narratives that transcend boundaries and explore diverse perspectives. Her works delve into the darker aspects of human existence, incorporating a captivating macabre element. Through haunting movements and evocative storytelling, she fearlessly tackles themes of mortality, darkness, and the enigmatic nature of life. Tabata's unique ability to intertwine beauty and the unsettling creates a mesmerizing and thought-provoking experience for audiences. In addition to local and international showcases of her works, such as "Obruo'' and "When Tongues Collide,'’ which were presented at Nachmo DC 2021 and DC Summer Dance Showcase 2023. Tabata presented "Immolatio" at the Shipukunji Temple during The Attune Dance Festival in Kyoto, Japan 2023. Where she also led a creative movement workshop for children. Inspired by her academic research and personal experiences, Tabata established Totema Dance Company in 2022. Through this platform, she continues to explore new avenues of artistic expression, aiming to evoke raw emotions and challenge conventional boundaries.

Beth has a background in theater arts, yoga, dance and circus arts.  She has also been a preschool teacher.  Holding degrees in Theatre Arts and English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Beth studied movement based/actor created theatre in Minneapolis, New York and Paris. She has certifications in adult, prenatal and kids yoga along with continuing education in anti-bias education, diversity and inclusion.  She has been teaching to children for over 19 years and has led classes at schools, yoga & dance studios and community centers. Mom to 2, Beth is excited to bring her love of movement to kids of all ages, celebrating the unique expressions of body, mind and spirit.

“I strive to challenge each and every student in each and every class. From a beginner to a professional, there is always something to work on. The main goal of a ballet class to me, is not to do everything perfect, it is to try to make small achievements each time. I ask them to sense the joy of moving to different types of music. It is amazing how active the brain has to be in a dance class. It is constant stimulation for the body and soul!”

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Silvia teaches Adult Ballet at LMP. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she studied at the National School of Dance, obtaining her degree as National Teacher, and studied at the prestigious Teatro Colon where she obtained her Diploma as Professional Dancer. Ms. Burstein performed extensively in Canada with Le Ballet Classique de Montreal, Theatre Ballet of Canada, P.M. Ottawa Jazz and Le Groupe Lab (Le Groupe de la Place Royale). Ms. Burstein’s teaching experience includes Le Groupe de la Place Royale, Elaine Hunter Dance School, Le Petit Ballet, Dance Educators, Atelier de Dance Carole Brouard, and Ottawa University. She choreographs and performs with Choreographers Collaboration Project.

Jason James is a Maryland born native with over 10yrs of dance training and commercial industry experience. Educated in a wide variety of styles, Jason James specializes in Hip-Hop dance with the focus of helping those who are passionate and interested in getting their foot in the door of pioneering their dance career. He has spent a lot of time in ATL, LA, and NY and his credits include: Lecrae, Saucy Santana, BET, STAR on FOX, and much more! Not only does Jason James focus on commercial industry, but he also work towards the artistic area of competition and recreational dance. My main focus upon my classes are to not just teach choreography, but to condition my student’s consciousness and mindsets to help understand the decisions within movement, life, and their own physical capabilities. It’s not always about choreography! Sometimes it’s about confidence! Along wanting to push dancers towards their goals, I plan to share my overall experience in life and in my dance career. “Before we are dancers, we are human beings.” “I’m glad to be home, and help cultivate the dance culture where I started. The community out here is important to me and I just want to give back”

Kelly began her belly dance journey in 2011 studying technique and performance with belly dance schools in Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC. In 2023, she earned her official Dance Cohesion Stage 1 Trained Teacher certification with April Rose’s Cohesion Collective. April describes Kelly’s teaching approach as “warm, encouraging, detailed, caring and fun! She breaks things down in a very detailed, complete, and logical sequential way.” She has studied various styles of belly dance including Raqs Sharqi, Folkloric, Balkan, and Transcultural Fusion. She particularly enjoys creating Fusion choreographies that experiment with Modern Contemporary style. Kelly was drawn to dance at a young age as it allows her freedom of expression in ways that her day-to-day life doesn’t frequently offer, and she enjoys facilitating this freedom with her students.

"For novices and experts alike, I strive to make my aerial classes fun for all students. I want students to gain strength, flexibility and confidence from their time in the hammock. With my background in yoga, I integrate elements of mindfulness into my aerial practice."

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Renee teaches Aerial Hammock at LMP. She has been practicing aerial yoga, hammock and acrobatics since 2012 and teaching aerial hammock at LMP since 2015. She has completed level 1 and 2 training, and has worked as an aerial teacher trainer. Given the choice, she would spend most of her time upside down. With adults her classes are anatomically focused explorations of movement and action in the body. When teaching children she embraces fun, age appropriate yoga that encourages kids to develop healthy and peaceful minds and bodies. Her sense of humor infuses her approach to life, including her practice and teaching. By approaching the asana practice in a humorous, playful and light-hearted way, she hopes to find the depth of human experience that we all share.

Renee grew up in the metro DC area in a family full of classical musicians.  It wasn't until she was in high school that she discovered dance, but once she did she knew the blend of movement and music would be a lifelong passion.    Although she was drawn to modern dance, she headed to Indiana University in Bloomington IN to study ballet, believing that classical training provides a good basis for all dance techniques.  At Indiana she trained and performed with some of the field's greatest artists, including Marina Svetlova, John Kriza and Nicholas Beriosoff.  In Bloomington she also performed with a nascent modern dance group, Windfall Dancers, a group still active to this day.  After graduation she was fortunate to earn a full time, year-round contract with the ballet company at the National Theater in Mannheim (West) Germany.  There she performed a variety of group and solo roles under the direction of the Artistic Director, Aachim Gerster and the Ballet Master, Nicholai de Lusignan.  Once back in the US her life has blended time as a dancer and teacher with activities related to her family and her work as a legal assistant.  She added Pilates to her movement repertoire with a full certification from BASI (Body Arts and Sciences International) and has been teaching Pilates since 2010.  Her dance teaching credits in the DC area include Joy of Motion and the Dance Institute of Washington.  She enjoys teaching and choreographing for students of all ages, from 8 years old to adult.

Jeneen holds an MFA in Painting from AU, a BA in Art from Swarthmore College, 500+ hour Sri Yoga TT, 4 yr Integrated Alignment (Subtle Energy & Sound Healing) certificates, and many other formal trainings including Pranayama, Pre-natal Yoga, Budding Yogis (childrens yoga), QiGong, Mantra, Meditation, Sacred Geometry, Crystal Healing, Light Work, Tantric Dance and Bellydance. In addition she has studied in various yoga traditions including: ashtanga, integral, jivamukti, Dharma yoga, synergy yoga and synergy dance. She has apprenticed with Master sound healers Triz Remedios and Andreas Mamet, and has been integrating sound tools into her various classes for the last 10 years. She now trains others to use sound tools in their private and public practices. She has been a professional Artist for 30 years, a professional Bellydancer for 20 years, and a certified Yoga teacher for 15 years.

"It’s my desire for students to gain an understanding of rhythm and musicality when diving in to this percussive art form. Focusing on relaxing, and places weight in the proper place in order to produce a variety of intonations will go a long way to producing proper technique, allowing one to enjoy tap dancing for a lifetime."

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Baakari is internationally known for starring in the Broadway musical Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk. He received a Bessie Award for his performance, and later assumed the lead role for a year. He has also received the Pola Nirenska Award for achievement in dance. Baakari's dancing has delighted audiences around the world in places such as the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, France, Africa, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Russia. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre from the University of Maryland at College Park. He shares his knowledge of tap dancing through his role as assistant artistic director of the Washington D.C. based company Capitol Tap.