ABUNDANCE ~ OLIVIA PARENT

Olivia recalls the first time she experienced danced improvision with a group of peers and described it as feeling like she was a part of something intricately significant and meaningful. Experiencing this intricacy of being a part of something larger than yourself is crucial to the dance experience. Community can be found the minute you walk into your first dance class and this is the type of environment Olivia creates. Movement is meant to be meaningful and that drives Olivia’s teaching to be healing work. Her philosophy revolves around expression and exploration, finding joy within moments of connection and restoration. 

Olivia Parent has studied dance for half her life and studied ballet, modern, contemporary, improvision, and jazz. She has worked with children for 5 years in multiple teaching positions. She taught dance for two years, specializing in creative movement for children between the ages of 3-6. She continues to find ways to integrate expression and creativity into each class she teaches. She allows students to find their own creative voice, allowing space for each dancer to shine. “Dance is a therapeutic & emotional outlet for people. I have always found dance very healing, and it was always a safe space for me to escape.” She says, and strives to create that same space she found solace in. 

One of her core beliefs is that dance is for everyone and every BODY. She strives to create inclusive spaces for every community member in class. Olivia incorporates mindful movement, musicality, personal movement exploration, and kinesthetic elements in her classes. She danced with the Mark Morris Dance Company in Brooklyn, NY for two weeks in the summertime after graduating high school. One of the biggest takeaways was that dance expression is inclusive and brings joy to community and Olivia works to bring that same energy to every class. Joy!