Teaching Staff

Ellen

Brumby

I have always loved to dance! I love working with children and sharing my passion. I have so much fun nurturing each child’s creativity and watching my students grow and develop through the art and joy of dance.

I have developed a dance curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate, fun, creative, and challenging. Hard work, developing self-confidence, attention skills, mutual respect, and kindness are encouraged and expected. Students learn correct technique and terminology, the art of performance, some dance history including famous dancers and ballets, music appreciation, and a little bit of French. In my preschool classes, I use a thematic approach meant to spark each child’s creativity and love for dance and the arts through stories, props, drama, puppets, songs, games, and music.

I earned a Child Study and Dance degree from Webster College where I graduated Cum Laude with a K-12 teaching certificate. There I studied with Michael Simms and danced in the Webster College company as a soloist. I developed and taught a creative dance program for young children at Webster. I also taught creative movement at local preschools and elementary schools as part of the academic curriculum, Girl Scout events, beginning ballet as a P.E. elective at a private high school and taught ballet/Jazz at Simms Academy of Dance in St Louis, MO.

I was an elementary school teacher for six years, teaching grades K-2. My husband, Robert, and I have three grown children, and three grandchildren. Our daughter danced at RISPA, and now our six-year-old granddaughter dances here, too!

I love dancing with your children at RISPA!