LAUREN SKINIOTES

Lauren is the artistic and executive director of Momentum Dance Studio. She has been dancing since age 3 at The Dance Studio Ltd, under the direction of Marianne Kyler and training under Nancy Bonkowski, Marcy Sewell, among others. Continuing her education, she took supplementary training at Gus Giordano's, Visceral Dance Center, and Lou Conte/Hubbard Street. Lauren attended Valparaiso University and graduated with a BA in Studio Art with a minors in dance, physics, and math. Throughout her college career she continued to be a part of the University's Dance Ensemble gaining choreography experience under the direction of Ann Kessler. Also at this time she gained ample teaching experience in many different styles including hip hop and contemporary at her home studio, The Dance Studio Ltd., as well as at United Dance Arts in Valparaiso. Post-grad, Lauren has danced professionally with Ardent Dance Company as a lead company member, AscenDance Chicago as an apprentice and company member, and many freelance dance projects as well. She looks forward to the growth of the youth program and special needs programs here at Momentum, and dreams of leading a professional company in tandem. Art is undoubtedly Lauren's passion, and movement is her favorite medium with unlimited opportunities and room to grow. Her philosophy stems from the fact that education is never finished- even teachers continue to learn every day, which she strives to do.