"Ally is a skilled and engaging dance instructor with an excellent grasp of body mechanics. She has a friendly, approachable style that keeps her classes fun. I also know several dancers who have greatly improved their movement through private instruction with her."

Daniel Bulliard-Bates
Instructor Coordinator
Portland Blues & Jazz Dance Society

"Ally combines philosophy, body mechanics, and dance technique in a way that leaves you walking away from her lessons with your brain spinning and body itching to try new things. Hers is a truly holistic dance practice that gives dancers of any experience level something personal to chew on. I actually felt inspired to practice on my own after her lessons - something I continuously struggle with - because she reminded me that play and experimentation and being in my body are just as if not important than 'looking good' in my movement."

-Rheanna M.

"Few of my decisions have been as wise as taking dance lessons with Ally.  My background as a dancer was scattered, and composed of a handful of vocabulary and bad habits picked up from years of beginner lessons and social dance.  Ally took this foundation – shaky as it was – and rebuilt it into a much stronger base upon which to build my skill.
Her passion is incredibly infections.  She balances encouragement and drive, knowing when to push to new territory, when to let something rest, or when to visit something easy to build confidence.  This makes her not just a good teacher, but a good coach as well.
All this would be for nothing without skill.  Her background in multiple dance styles – both solo and partner, interest and knowledge of body mechanics, and experience with teaching combine into a formidable toolset.  The best teachers are always learning themselves, and Ally is no exception.  She constantly works to improve her own foundations, and readily accepts and integrates what her students bring to the table to further both of their development.
Or, in other words: 'YOU ARE THINKING OF TAKING LESSONS WITH ALLY WHY ARE YOU STILL THINKING DO IT SHE'S AMAZING"

-Sawyer N.

"Through my life I've never been a dancer.  4 years ago I decided to try dancing and began taking dance classes and dancing regularly, mostly with 'Tuesday Blues' and 'Barefoot' in Portland. OR.
I attend 1 or 2 dance lessons every week.  Ally has been teaching with Tuesday Blues and Barefoot Blues in Portland Oregon as long as I have been dancing.
Ally has been the designated instructor for many of the dance classes I've taken in Portland.  She is very fun to take dance classes from.  She knows and understands the class subject and communicates it to her students well.  Yet she also keeps us dancing / practicing the material she is teaching us.  I always find it easy to learn from and understand her demonstrations of the class material.  Ally has a good ability to notice less than desirable movements in individual students and offers quality suggestions to improve her student's movements when needed, without making her students feel inadequate.  I'm glad the dance follows the classes because I always feel motivated to dance and practice what I've learned in her class!  Ally is an excellent dance instructor and I would recommend her to anyone (and I have!)."

-Chris W.