Background, professional training and performance history
Lindsey Salfran, a native Floridian, moved to Eugene, OR in 2014 to begin pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Oregon. She has spent over twenty years training in a variety of dance styles from ballet to salsa and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Central Florida in 2008, with a Minor in Dance. She has over a decade of teaching experience and has been employed by top entertainment companies such as Walt Disney World and Royal Caribbean International.
In 2014, she choreographed New Hope Christian College’s production of “Hairspray!” The Musical, and earned a UO Graduate Teaching Fellowship at the end of the 2015 school year. Lindsey was a member of the University of Oregon Repertory Dance Company from 2014-2016 and is an active participant and inaugural member of Dr. Habib Iddrisu’s African Ensemble, Dema. She recently graduated with her M.F.A. in Dance and her thesis is entitled, “Shim Shammin’: Essentials for Teaching Jazz Dance in Higher Education.” Lindsey anticipates advocating for the necessity of a jazz dance education for future college dance students, and the Eugene dance community at large.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
“I believe that dance is an act of sharing - in the classroom, in performance and in creation. To honor the sharing nature of dance, I teach my students to consider movement as a means of communication and a vessel for constant dialogue with other dancers, musicians, audiences and other participants. With a society pushing for belonging to a majority, I think that individual encouragement teaches students to embrace their unique talents and employs them to discover their individual offerings that can contribute positively to society at large. To me, dancing is a timeless tradition that is sacred to civilization. I am committed to carrying on the traditions of teaching dance, introducing people of all ages to the elating and lasting effects that the art form has on the past, present and future..”
Instruments & classes taught
Lindsey teaches Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Swing, Mambo, and other various Ballroom dance styles.