Lauren Graves

Staff Info

Position:  Instructor, choreographer, dancer
ADP Classes:  Ballet
Training:  Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Character, Percussive Dance, Folk Dance

Profile

Lauren was fortunate to train under Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, founders of the University of Oklahoma Dance Department and former members of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo – a company renowned for bringing Russian ballet and avant-garde sensibilities to the United States and many other countries world-wide.  At OU, Lauren was steeped in this tradition as she earned her degree in Ballet Pedagogy, performed with the ballet company, and as a graduate assistant, taught ballet and helped direct rehearsals for major productions.

Lauren also earned an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy.  She studied and worked in that field for about 10 years, bringing dance as a form of therapy to people of all ages.
After coming to California, Lauren had the opportunity to study with Gloria Mohr - former principal dancer with Balanchine’s New York City Ballet – and to teach at her studio.

A chance meeting in 2008 brought Lauren to Ariel Studio where she enjoyed teaching, choreographing, and performing up until pandemic shut everything down.  With her specific training in how to teach, as well as perform ballet, and over 25 years of teaching experience, Lauren is excited to return to Ariel and share her love of all things ballet.