CARRIE WHIPPLE'S BIO:

Carrie has been dancing for as long as she can remember. One of her first memories (at age 3) is of the steep climb up a dim, sawdusty-smelling staircase to "Pre-Ballet for Pre-Schoolers," clutching her first pair of soft pink ballet shoes in joyful anticipation. Though preferring her own experimental movements to her teacher's classical technique at first, she quickly began to absorb as many different styles of dance as she could. From grade school through high school she studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, character, and hip-hop.

It was during high school that Carrie began her teaching career. It was a complete disaster. Have you ever been in a small basement room with twelve 9 year olds wearing tap shoes? With little training as a teacher and even less guidance, Carrie realized quickly that she needed help. This led her to see the difference between being a good dancer and being a good dance teacher, and she began to attend dance classes with a new motive: to study how other teachers teach movement.

While attending University of Oregon for her Bachelor's Degree in business, Carrie continued studying and teaching dance, and took a ballroom dance class in her continual quest for new movement and teaching styles. Ballroom led to Salsa which led to Lindy Hop, which ultimately led to Argentine Tango.

After a three year apprenticeship with Alex Krebs, Carrie began her full time professional tango career, and has since led a charmed tango life, teaching and/or performing with several of the most talented dancers in the US, including Homer Ladas, Robin Thomas, J. Abling, and Jaimes Friedgen in Portland, Seattle, New York, Washington DC, Boston, and San Francisco, as well as in Vancouver BC, France, Scotland, England, and Germany.

Here's what people are saying about Carrie's classes:

Carrie's classes exceeded my expectations . . . with concise teaching, she was clear and warm, with a good balance of rigor and release. The classes were relaxed but focused and fun.

Carrie explained some of the "mysteries" of following - and my feet look better! Carrie is fun, inspiring, motivating, and just a bit of a slave driver.

Carrie earns more respect and admiration with every class. Bravo - She's professional and knowledgeable. Please keep teaching!

Carrie is friendly and accessible, and the class was packed full of things you can take home and try.

The classes were very friendly, pleasant, clear and simple. Thank you for your kindness and patience!

Carrie is a patient, thoughtful teacher who uses basic and simple instruction. She makes it easy to learn, and her classes motivate me to get better!

Carrie's classes are informative without being intimidating. They're very comfortable and friendly.

The classes were very hands on, and moved at a good pace - it was all so much fun!

This is the class! Carrie is such a friendly teacher. I definitely recommend her classes to others.

Organizers and promoters: Click here for promotional pictures of Carrie and Homer Ladas.