MEET GENNA

Who was your most influential mentor in dance?

Alexandra Wells - Years back when I had an agent, he took me to Alexandra to be evaluated and tried to get me admitted into a summer program she created for her students at Juilliard called “Springboard Danse Montreal”. Alexandra reported back to him that, “I was far from ready” (and my agent dropped me, lol) But months later word got back to me that she was starting a new program - a kind of stepping stone towards ‘Springboard Dance’. This summer program (The Movement Invention Project) inevitably changed the trajectory of my life catapulting me towards my first job. Alexandra saw my potential - saw the gap in my training - and created a learning experience for students like me who were just shy of reaching their goals. I’m indebted to her act of kindness, and her creativity forever. God bless teachers like that, so extraordinary.

What's your philosophy on dance education?

Having been exposed to a wide variety of dance education—from my small-town dance studio, to graded ballet examinations, to conservatory training, all the way up to working in the professional sphere—I've seen and experienced much that informs my teaching approach today.

I strive to strike a balance between kindness and rigor, creating an environment where dancers feel supported while being encouraged to push past perceived limitations - both physical and mental. I believe that regardless of a dancer's goals—whether recreational or pre-professional—it's valuable to approach the work with attention to detail, curiosity, and above all else - joy.

Looking back on your performance career, what role most shaped you as an artist?

Dancing the lead role of Persephone in Twyla Tharp's ‘Noir’ was a game changer for me. The music's complex rhythmic structure—counted in 3s, 8s, and 11s (and I'm not typically a formal counter)—combined with the solitary nature of the role meant I couldn't rely on others for guidance. Though the process was daunting, it taught me what it truly meant to be accountable. I had never been entrusted with such responsibility before, and it felt like a precious gift I wanted to honor.

What exciting developments do you envision for Port Townsend Ballet?

I’m excited to grow with this amazing studio. I want to offer more defined levels to help improve the quality of our classes, and I’d love to be able to make that possible by working towards securing a larger studio with multiple dance spaces. With a second (or even third) studio we could take siblings at the same time (in their differing levels), offer more private lessons, and diversify our offerings. With a foyer we could improve the communications between our parents and staff - having a little meeting space to foster community and develop a real booster club. More square footage would also help ease the squeeze (literally) when it comes to performance time and how many bodies tend to inhabit the space when we do our big production rehearsals. Lots to look forward to!

1993 - First Dance recital in Connecticut

2012 - Performing in Israel with ‘Company E’ (3rd from L)