founder of DanceFIT Studio Brookline, co-founder of DanceFIT Babies, children's ballet instructor, fitness instructor

**BalletFIT in the spotlight**

**Interview on RateMyBurn.com**

**BalletFIT reviewed on Fitness & Feta**



From dancing at the L'Ecole de Superiere de Dance de Rosella Hightower in France to teaching at The Washington Ballet, Gina Fay has performed and learned under many of the world's top dancers and instructors. Gina has excelled in and studied many forms of dance, such as classical ballet, partnering, Pointe, jazz, modern, character and kinesthetics. Her knowledge, experience and versatility even earned her the "Certificat de Stage" award from the famed France academy. Gina's success as a performer also translated into success as a teacher. At The Washington Ballet, Gina served as assistant to the director of education in the ballet's Outreach Program. Teaching nearly 400 students per week, Gina taught both the in-school and the after school programs. The in-school program maintained a strong focus on music, dance and the visual arts, while her after school programs centered on in-depth classical pre-ballet technique training. Upon completion of her internship, The Washington Ballet hired Gina as a full-time Movement Specialist. Gina went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Art History and Studio Art from Gettysburg College in 2005. During that same year, Gina studied in Florence, Italy and was hired by renowned Artistic Director to choreograph a dance for the American Opera "Where the Wild Things Are."

Upon her move to Boston four years ago, Gina was a faculty member of Brookline Adult Education as a fitness instructor and continued her teaching of classical ballet classes at various Boston studios, where her students performed in spring showcases and won many competitions. Gina's passion for dance is reflected in her classes. She focuses on placement and technique, and provides each dancer with personal attention. Gina has developed a dance based fitness program, balletFIT, designed to achieve a dancers body and help people develop specific muscle groups and help prevent and recover from injuries. Gina has been instructing and inspiring an array of levels and ages of dancers, ranging from coaching professionals to helping children with disabilities. Her mission is to share the knowledge of the beauty, joy, and science of her art form.

Being a new parent has given Gina a fresh perspective in teaching the little ballerinas in a way that she never dreamed of. She loves to share this insight with fellow parents and prospective new students. Gina's students have been the inspiration for all of her creative ideas in some way or another. The most important thing she has taken from her experiences is that if you respect children, they will respect you. Her personal goal as a teacher is to have each child finish their ballet class loving their experience, their teachers & the new movements. She tries to look for a balance of structure and fun in the studio. Kids should be having fun in dance class and want to come back every week! In 2008 Gina fulfilled her dream of sharing her love for dance and exercise by starting DanceFIT. Gina is excited to introduce her two sons to the DanceFIT community. Joseph Ryan Fay was born May 8, 2009 and Thomas Potter Fay was born August 10, 2010. She can't wait to get her boys dancing when they turn 3. - close

marketing director, fitness & zumba® instructor, 6FIT coordinator

contact maeve: maeve@dancefitstudio.com

....instructor spotlight!

**RateMyBurn.com**

Maeve has been dancing her whole life… growing up in jazz classes, cheerleading…and joining the Kickline team in college – dance has always been a major part of her life. Years later…fitness and dance are even more important to her. After a long and stressful day at work…she knows there’s nothing like dancing it all away and getting in shape! She discovered Zumba and fell in love! By learning fun sexy dance moves and burning calories… she soon forgot it’s a workout and began to think of it as a dance party! She hopes that everyone will fall in love with Zumba -Every class is a party and all you have to do follow her lead - it's that simple!

children's ballet instructor



Dominique is a ballet enthusiast with a love for music, movement and all things dance. She began her journey with ballet three years ago, and what began as a weekly activity quickly grew into a great passion for the art form of ballet. Dominique takes ballet, Pilates and yoga classes nearly every day and is a gym and fitness devotee. She is currently taking dedicated pointe classes in addition to her regular ballet classes. The challenge of the technique, joy of movement and rich musicality of the art form keep her constantly motivated and engaged. It is impossible for her to imagine her life without ballet! Dominique has a background in marketing and business, with a Bachelors degree in French and an MBA from the University of Rochester. Prior to her work as an assistant ballet teacher, Dominique had fused her love of dance and academic experiences in a position in the marketing department at Boston Ballet. As an assistant ballet teacher, Dominique looks forward to inspiring a love of movement and music in others.

children's ballet instructor, fitness & hip hop instructor

**spotlight**



Alyssa has had the pleasure of enjoying dance in its many forms for over twenty years. Trained in the traditional studio environment while growing up, Alyssa was exposed to jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip hop while focusing primarily on tap and ballet. She competed on the convention circuit throughout New England and nationally while growing up, and continued by dancing in college at Northeastern University (NUDANCO and NU Dance Team). She recently finished cheering for an NFL football team, and is thankful that Gina has given her an outlet to continue pursuing her love of dance. As a mechanical engineer (and cube-dweller) by day, Alyssa absolutely understands the need for us to all let loose and enjoy dance at the end of the day.