Helen Hayes

Helen Hayes graduated from the University of MD with a degree in Dance.  She has danced professionally with the Maryland Dance Theater, Perlo/Bloom and Co., Cathy Paine and Friends, Jazzdancz/dc , and Dupont Alley Dance Company.  Touring internationally, she has been featured on Good Morning Hong Kong. She has performed at the Kennedy Center , including the Honors Gala in tribute to Chita Rivera, and in New York City .  She is the Co-Artistic Director of CrossCurrents Dance Company, (a JOMDC Resident Arts Partner).  Ms. Hayes is an instructor of modern and jazz and has taught extensively throughout the Metro DC area.  In 2005 and 2007, she was a Metro DC Dance Award finalist for Excellence in Dance Education.  She spent the summer of 2002 teaching jazz and modern in Varna , Bulgaria at the International Ballet Competition.  She was on the faculty at the University of Maryland in the fall of 2006.

"Dance for me, is the integration of glorious movement with a thinking brain, feeling heart and boundless spirit. My classes ask the student to use their physical body, their intelligence, and their emotional/spiritual selves in a way that brings the movement to life and create the most fulfilling dance experience possible.  I believe in giving students the TOOLS that enable them to fully realize this experience.  Students learn sound technique principles through my teaching which prevent injury, increase strength and flexibility, and increase overall health and well being.  Dance is a language.  Let your body SHOUT with joy!!!"

"I believe that there is something that EVERYONE who walks into my classroom can do well. It is MY job to find that, to acknowledge it and build upon it.   Dance IS for everyone from the youngest child to the most mature or disabled person.  Dance is not always about how high your leg goes or how many times you turn...it is about self expression.  I am committed to JOMDC because the organization LIVES it's mission and continues to create new opportunities for EVERYONE to dance!"

Director, Youth Dance Ensemble Program
JOMDC Resident Arts Partner: CrossCurrents Dance Company, Co-Artistic Directors:  Helen Hayes, Debra Kanter