Pedagogy
Olivia’s pedagogy is informed by extensive studies in movement development with the Laban Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, as well as by Anne Green Gilbert’s BrainDance method. She aims to foster integrated neuromotor patterning and development in her students through structured exercises and imaginative games designed to promote musculoskeletal alignment and proprioception. Her classes are a safe space for children to explore movement and gain cognitive, behavioral, and social skills. As an educator, Olivia aims to affirm children’s agency, empower them creatively and to instill in them a love of movement.
Children’s Classes
As a children’s dance educator since 2018, Olivia loves sharing the joy of movement with her young students. Olivia is a children’s teaching artist with Cardell Dance Studio, and has also taught for The Arts League and BalletX’s Dance eXchange program and Dream Team, and Salamander Arts. In 2019 and 2020, Olivia taught creative movement to 4-7 year olds on Outschool.com, creating a virtual space for joy and dance whilst children’s lives were turned upside down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adult Classes
Olivia has taught adult contemporary movement workshops with the Arts League and Philly Dance Share. She was on the organizer team for ContactImprovPhilly from 2023-2025, facilitating contact improv jams for dancers of all levels. Her adult contemporary practice includes opportunities for interdisciplinary study including creative writing, collage, crafting and drawing. Her contemporary movement classes focuses on finding flow and grounding, exploring dynamic alignment and kinetic chains as well as creative improvisational exercises. Attunement to nervous system states and a trauma-informed teaching practice are key to making classes accessible and holistic, honoring the whole person in dance class.
