Hi, everybody! My name is Lauren May. I am a Michigan native with lots of knowledge to share. To say I am ecstatic about this opportunity is an understatement. I have been dancing my entire life, eighteen years to be exact! During my secondary education dance training, I had the honor and privilege to train under Erica Pedersen-Maurer. Her outpouring diversity within the realm of dance and the opportunities I was presented with shaped me into the person I am today and continues to do so. 

 

Due to the exceptional training I received growing up, directly after high school I was accepted into the Theater Arts Preparatory School (TAPS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Out west I moved in 2015 for the next step in my dance career and the experience of a lifetime. The sole purpose of TAPS is for competition dancers to seamlessly transcend into the professional world, it is highly exclusive and students are trained in the entire arts profession including every genre of dance, acting, singing. The true triple threat! During my education at TAPS I auditioned like crazy, I now call myself a singer and an actor. I also worked for multiple entertainment companies including Doucette Entertainment and 24 Seven Productions. I also was taught by the leading educators in each specialty field, every week, an experience that is truly second to none. 

 

Additionally, while on this jam-packed adventure, I had the incredible opportunity to tour around with a dance competition called Talent on Parade, I was an assistant to top choreographers during their national and regional tours. It was during this time that I discovered the deep passion I had for teaching dance and teaching in general, I love giving to our future generations more than being on any stage. I have over 8 years of experience being a dance instructor stemming back to my secondary education days, it is my philosophy that equality, discipline and love will harbor an environment for growth not just in dance, but in every area. Art is something that unexplainably connects people and demonstrates exponential faith in oneself. I will hold your children accountable, I will never stop learning alongside your children and I will unconditionally give them my very best. 

 

Moving on to my current self, I am a full-time dog momma, a full-time student and a full-time dance-instructor! I have three pups at home, Maverick, Goose and Gracie who complete our little family. I am less than a year away from obtaining my BSN in Communications through Arizona State University Online, it is my goal to never stop learning and getting a college degree is a step in that direction for me. I live in Kalamazoo with my gorgeous girlfriend, Ellie and our dogs, life is amazing! To teach at The Habitat is refreshing, it aligns with everything I love about the arts and everything I personally stand for. Each and every one of you belong here, I cannot wait to welcome you and get to work evolving through performance and beyond!