Sam Gaitsch: Dancers Making Moves

Sam is a freelance artist, choreographer, and educator. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Dance, with a minor in Visual Art, from Washington University in St. Louis. Bridging the gap between professional concert dance and theatre, her choreography often uses humor as a tool for social commentary. Sam brings her jubilant spirit to both the stage and her teaching practice. After serving two years as the Dance and Pre-Professional Division Manager at the Center of Creative Arts, Sam decided to return to full-time freelance work. She currently serves as a Rehearsal Assistant and choreographer for COCA’s Pre-Professional Contemporary/Modern company, and as a member of the Faculty where she teaches advanced Jazz and Horton technique. She teaches company class for Resilience Dance Company, is a STEAM Educator at Laumeier Sculpture Park, and teaches adult classes at St. Louis Academy of Dance as well! In the past she has served as an adjunct professor at local universities, a teacher, choreographer, academic coach and mentor, and more. Choreography credits include St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, Washington University and Saint Louis University, New Jewish Theatre, Stray Dog Theatre, the Big Muddy Dance Company (now known as St. Louis Dance Theatre) and Consuming Kinetics Dance Company. Originally from Nashville, TN, her dance training background includes ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, modern, hip-hop, and improvisation. She attended the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Professional Division Summer Intensive at 16 years old as well. Her extensive training and performance background in both dance and theatre have greatly informed her work as a choreographer and teaching artist. Follow @dancers.making.moves on Instagram and Facebook and learn more about the artists involved in this project at www.dancersmakingmoves.com.