This is great! I'm kinda new to dance.net & you guys have been a great resource for me. I'm Monique from Jefferson, LA. I'm 40 and have been dancing since I was 2, with breaks here and there for having boy children and raising them. I was educated by Anthony Alessandra for approx. 14 yrs - he passed away in his studio. It was awful for me, since he was my first & only teacher, & I was 16 yrs. old. My dream was to be HIM. So I started college at Southeastern La. Univ. as a choreography major & about 8 wks into it, my ankle gave out one fine day. I dropped out, began office work and 2 marriages & 2 kids later, I missed dancing WAY too much. I started back in April of this year, assisting with the little ones at The Dance Factory in Kenner, LA & loved it immensely. My specialty is tap (hence the nickname) and I'm on a mission to bring it back into popularity. I've begun my own little venture - teaching preschoolers at the preschools, as well as teaching at the studio a few nights a week. Had my 'Corporate America' job not been eliminated, I may have never ventured into teaching dance as a career. It's what I always wanted in my heart but never had the opportunity to pursue because I needed a steady paycheck & benefits. Now that my kids are pretty grown, I can finally do what makes me truly happy. The one downside is that my body no longer does what it used to. BUT I CAN STILL TEACH!! After reading BalletBrat's info, I have a lot in common with her. BalletBrat, if you read this far, please email me. And Diva, thanks for the invitation and interest!