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38 || CELEBRITY MAGAZINE || MAY-JUNE 2017Did you ever think for a moment that you might pursue a different profession?I went to school for advertising and public relations, and I love creating in Photoshop. For a minute in college, I thought I could pursue that ... then I interned and had to sit at a desk all day%u2026 let%u2019s just say, I can%u2019t sit still at a desk all day!you hold a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from Point Park University. What drew you to this field? How has your degree benefited you in your chosen career path?The girl that lived next door to me in college, who still happens to be one of my best friends, was majoring in that. I used to watch her create and do her work. About halfway through freshman year I thought I would like to try it so I switched my major. I don%u2019t currently use my degree on %u201cDance Moms%u201d, but I do help out the dance studio with their advertising and social media marketing.Having choreographed so many lovely pieces, where does the inspiration come from? How do you navigate the pressures of sustaining such creativity?Anything! Everyday events, movies, pictures, even shopping. I could walk into a store and see a dress and just know it has to be used for a piece. It%u2019s definitely hard to create when you have so many people watching and judging your work but knowing that I love what I do, and so do the kids, is what makes it worth it.Walk us through the process of creating a new dance. Does it start with the dancer, the music or a subject?On %u201cDance Moms%u201d it starts with a subject, then the music, and then finally the dancers. Outside of the show I usually search around for music in my free time. When a song strikes me and I start moving to it, I just know I have to create something with it.Known as the nice teacher at the Abby Lee Dance Company, your style and technique differ drastically from Ms. Abby. How has this approach served your students and the finished product?I actually grew up dancing for Abby and started working alongside her when I was 16. I definitely have many of the teaching techniques she does. My classes and choreography reflect everything she has taught me, just with a little bit of my spin on it. I think because I%u2019m younger and grew up just like these girls %u2014 on a competition team %u2014 they can relate to me. I know what works for them and what they look good doing.What are some of your favorite dance numbers %u2014 whether it be in film, stage or television?Some of my favorite numbers I%u2019ve done are definitely 2 of the group routines from Season 7: Six Feet Underneath and Blush & Bashful. My favorite %u201cSo You Think You Can Dance%u201d moment was %u2018The Bench%u2019 routine by Mia Michaels. Definitely a few seasons ago, but will always be my absolute favorite.Photo Credit:Ryan Westw w w.ryanwestphoto.c om