We may be small, but we have some big ideas and dreams.
Our Roots
We began as a series of free dance classes and workshops offered by the Lights Dance Festival, an annual dance-film festival founded by Teacher Sarah in 2016.
Recognizing the need for a more sustainable program, as well as a community space for dancers, we are opening up our very first studio in Summer 2026.
Values
Creative Play
We believe the studio should feel like a playground, an exploratory space for discovery and collaborations. Our classes are designed to be joyful, imaginative, and welcoming to everybody regardless of their background.
Communication
Dance is a creative communicative means inherent in all of us. From the music and narratives woven into our toddler classes to the choreography our teens create together, we use movement to help each student find and share their own voice.
Community
Whether a child is finding their balance at the barre for the first time or an adult is stepping into a drop-in class on a whim, we celebrate every moment of encountering something new. At Lights Dance, we are committed to creating a welcoming space where people of varying dance backgrounds can engage in and play with dance.
Our Team
Instructors
Teacher Kurt
BalletKurt Froman is a ballet pedagogue, repetiteur, choreographer, and former New York City Ballet (NYCB) dancer whose work bridges classical ballet, performance, and screen studies. His coaching and choreography credits include Black Swan, Red Sparrow, Song to Song, and Z: The Beginning of Everything, working with actors such as Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Lawrence, Rooney Mara, and Christina Ricci. Froman performed with New York City Ballet for over seven years, dancing senior corps de ballet and soloist roles, after training at the School of American Ballet as the inaugural Rudolf Nureyev Scholar. His Broadway credits include a leading role in the Twyla Tharp/Billy Joel hit “Movin’ Out”, “Billy Elliot, The Musical” (Resident Choreographer for the Broadway & 2nd National Tour), “An American in Paris” (Dance Captain), and “Pal Joey”, along with appearances at City Center Encores! and with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet.
Teacher Jinji
Little Movers | Dance FUNdamentalsJinji is an interdisciplinary performer and teaching artist whose work sits at the intersection of dance, devised theatre, and embodied storytelling. Her practice is grounded in ensemble-based creation and somatic awareness, with a strong emphasis on presence and compositional choice in real time. This work is informed by a commitment to accessibility, care, and community-centered practice. Jinji’s classes emphasize attunement to the body, collective awareness, and improvisation as both a creative and relational tool.
Teacher Orb
Seattle-based artist Orb is a true icon in street dance culture, with over 35 years of experience in Hip-Hop (Breaking) and House dancing. As a performing artist, judge, and teacher at major street dance events locally and globally, Orb has helped push the boundaries of club-style street dance, particularly Breaking and House. He proudly represents Seattle’s Circle of Fire crew and Soulshifters, known for a groundbreaking fusion of House, Hip Hop, and Capoeira. Their innovative approach has redefined the dance landscape and has inspired dancers worldwide. Having toured in more than 20 countries, Orb not only shares his skills, but also offers a deep understanding of the culture. He serves as a mentor and personal coach, emphasizing the core values of Hip Hop and House foundations, along with the importance of musicality and originality.
Teacher Shannon
YogaShannon is a dedicated yoga practitioner with over 27 years on the mat. Shannon's approach centers around creating a safe and nurturing environment for her students to explore a range of motions. With an emphasis on the breath and moving with awareness, she leads a fun, flowing practice with options for everyone. Shannon understands that movement should simply feel good and promotes alignment, strengthening, and stabilization. Shannon is also a licensed acupuncturist and brings her knowledge of meridians and anatomy to her classes. She hopes that her students leave each class feeling more balanced, energized, and easeful, bringing these qualities into their everyday lives.
Staff
Teacher Sarah
DirectorSarah is an independent filmmaker and media researcher who is fascinated by the narrative capacity of dance. She enjoys sharing stories through dance films and curates for the annual Lights Dance Festival. As an affiliate faculty member, Sarah also mentors and teaches undergraduate students at the University of Washington’s Communications department.
Arona Cho
MarketingArona is a multifaceted technologist who brings her passion for empathy-centered design to everything she creates. From web development to visual storytelling, she uses her skills to amplify the voices and energy of local community spaces and is thrilled to help bring that same heart to our studio's digital presence.