Sara Lavan is the founder of Local Motion Project where she serves as Executive and Co-Artistic Director. She co-creates, curates, and co-facilitates programming including: movement classes, continuing education, youth dance school, creative community workshops, and school residencies.

Sara received her BA from New York University, where she minored in dance education. She 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, is a faculty member with the Dance West Virginia Fall Festival, facilitator of professional development for Arena Stage, has served as commissioner with the Alexandria Arts Commission and is a presenter with the Kennedy Center’s CETA program at the REACH.

Previously, Sara studied and performed with Igal Perry and Deborah Damast in NYC. She performed and choreographed with Choreographers Collaboration Project, Sarah Skaggs and Dance Exchange in the DC metro area. She also owned and operated Local Motion Studio in Alexandria, VA.

“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.”