Feel the Beat Team Member Spotlight: Mary Jo Lasky

For the current Team MemberSpotlight in our series featuring our amazing staff and dance instructors at Feel the Beat, we are featuring our Lead Teacher & Training and Development Manager, Mary Jo Lasky.

Mary Jo Lasky is FTB’s New York Lead Teacher and Training & Development Manager. She was raised in Thornton, CO where she danced at Denver Dance Starz for 14 years. She continued her dance and education at the University of Northern Colorado, earning her Bachelors in Studio Art, alongside three minors: one in Dance, one in Chemistry, and one in Criminal Justice. She also earned a certificate in Criminal Investigation. During this time, she joined Rocky Mountain Rhythm’s professional tap dance company and began teaching and choreographing for Loveland Conservatory and Dance. Since then, she has continued teaching, choreographing, and performing throughout Colorado.

Mary Jo Lasky was raised in Thornton, CO where she started her dance training at the ripe age 3. She trained there for 14 years at the competitive level, and then continued her dance and education at the University of Northern Colorado. Mary Jo earned her Bachelors in Studio Art: Painting, along with 3 minors in Dance, Chemistry, and Criminal Justice. During this time, she also joined the professional tap dance company Rocky Mountain Rhythm, as well as began teaching and choreographing for Loveland & Conservatory Dance at the competitive level. Since then, she has continued teaching, choreographing, and performing throughout Colorado, earned her certification in UX/UI Design, and started working at the most wonderful organization, Feel the Beat. At Feel the Beat, Mary Jo first began as an instructor, but wanted to become a bigger part of what they do. She has since been studying ASL, helped develop an adaptive training curriculum, and is now the new Lead Teacher and Training & Development Manager. As Feel the Beat keeps growing, Mary Jo is so excited to grow with them and bring this amazing world of dance and accessibility to everyone

Tell us your dance origin story and a bit about you.

I began my dance career at the ripe age of 3 at Denver Dance Starz in Thornton, CO. I trained there for 14 years, both at the recreational and competitive level, in all styles. I then attended the University of Northern Colorado where I continued to grow my technique while also joining Colorado’s premier tap company Rocky Mountain Rhythm. In my second year at university, I started teaching at Loveland & Conservatory Dance as their primary tap teacher and competition choreographer. There I developed my own tap curriculum and choreographed a variety of tap groups, duets, and solos. After graduation, I moved back down to Denver and started teaching at my mentor's studio, Miss Rachael’s Dance and shortly after joined the team at Feel the Beat. Outside of teaching, I find any and every opportunity I can to perform, choreograph, and share my love of dance with the world!

Tell us about your role at Feel the Beat. How long have you been at Feel the Beat and what drew you to the organization?

‌ At Feel the Beat I am both the Lead Teacher and Training & Development Manager, and have been with the organization for almost a year and a half. I heard about Feel the Beat from our Artistic Director and close friend of mine, Amber Andrews, who I dance with in Rocky Mountain Rhythm. When Amber was looking for someone to cover some of the Adult Group classes, I figured I could help with a few. Ever since my first class, I fell in love. Seeing the joy in each individual and knowing how happy they were to be present and included, made my spark for dance reignite. I’m so excited to continue to be a bigger part of Feel the Beat and support those who are not given the same opportunities in life. <3

What is your personal mission statement and what about that mission statement resonates with you most?

‌ My personal mission statement, or in a way “personal goal” as a teacher, is to always have fun. We live in a society where everyone is uptight, stressed, and overly concerned with, well, everything. Sadly, I am one of those people. However, since joining Feel the Beat, I have learned that there is so much more to be grateful for in life. The small, big, challenging, and once in a lifetime moments all happen for a reason, and I want my classroom to reflect that. I strive to create a space where my students feel safe, free from judgment, but most of all, leave with a smile on their face.‌

Is there a person in your life you credit as being a key to what motivates or inspires you on a daily basis? How have they impacted your life both personally and professionally?

‌Since I have been teaching the same groups for quite some time now, I have had the pleasure of watching them grow and improve every time I see them. One of the steps we’ve been working on is a chaine, or as I like to call them, pancake blueberries. When we first started working on these, we usually would go one at a time, so each individual had the one-on-one support they needed. After a few classes, I challenged them to do it in two groups. As they traveled across the floor, every single individual did it successfully without any support. And I have to say, after years of watching neurotypical students figure out a step, I had never felt more proud‌, inspired, and touched that I could have that kind of impact in someone's life, even if it was just a turn.

Tell us about a recent experience you’ve had in your role at Feel the Beat – something funny, inspiring, challenging, etc.

My favorite recent memory at Feel the Beat was seeing a student with hearing loss experience the vibrations in the floor. Her face lit up as soon as she felt the beat. These moments emphasize the importance of making dance available to all people.

Outside of dancing at Feel the Beat, what do you like to do for fun?

While my life technically revolves around everything art, as it has since I was young, I do still enjoy living life! In my downtime, I love a good video game (Mario Kart and Zelda are my personal favorites), spending time with my family, friends and partner, as well as enjoying a good cup of tea and yummy food. Depending on the weather, I am also a new (but loving it) skier and will never say no to a day on the lake paddleboarding, boating, etc.