Mission Statement

Dr. Wendy Guess has motivated students, employees and friends to find passion for living by sharing her own effervescent expression of dance since 1979 as a dancer, performer, educator, competitor and choreographer.  Dr Wendy blends her extensive academic background with solid dance training.  She has been a member of the awarding winning Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company and world-renowned Folk Dance Company, touring nationally and internationally.  She augmented her dance training through a multitude of workshops and camps and classes including studying with Ballet Master James Clouser and Dancing Classrooms founder Pierre Dulaine, where she currently is a Senior Teaching Artist and trainer.  In addition, her training has included street style social dance, international & American style ballroom dance, International folk dance, ballet, jazz, clog dance, aerobic and therapeutic activities (yoga, pilates, breathing techniques,flexibility).

Over the past 25 years, Dr Wendy has taught at the elementary through the university level, senior centers, private studios, continuing education programs as well as produced and performed thematic entertainment for special events and public schools including staff development for teachers.  Her teaching expertise has included, Dance Appreciation, Elementary Physical Education, Health, Nutrition, Concepts of Fitness, Yoga, Social Dance and Physical Education Teacher Preparation courses and has written dance modifications for Adapted Physical Education.

Her academic experience combines a Doctoral degree in Health Studies, writing her dissertation on the essential elements for a dance resource guide, a Masters in Recreation Management, Bachelors in Anthropology focused on Intercultural Communications, and is a Texas Certified Teacher of Physical Education, Speech Communications and ESL.   She has been certified by American College of Sport Medicine as a Group Exercise Leader, and is a Certified Sport Hypnotist.

In 2007, Dr Wendy was honored as the Southern District AAHPERD University Dance Educator of the Year and was nominated as the National University Dance Educator of the Year from the National Dance Association, as well as being awarded the 2006 University Dance Educator of the Year for the Texas Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, where she has presented regularly since 1995.

Using the philosophy that learning should be a moving experience of engaging the senses with humor, graciousness and passion, and motion – learning and retaining is an exciting process.  With a strong blend of cultural understanding, physical education, health and communication, Dr Wendy truly speaks the language of education and motivates students and teachers to improve their lives on the “dance floor of life”. Get ready to start choreographing your life!

Education 1. PhD – Health Education, minor dance, Adapted Physical Education 2. M.A. – Recreation Management, Leadership 3. B.S. – Anthropology, Intercultural Communications, Minor Dance 4. Assoc. – Physical Education, Dance

Certifications

1.  Certified Sport Hypnotist 2. Texas Teacher Certified – All Level Physical Education, Speech Communications, English as Second Language 3.  CPR/Heart Saver, AED 4.  Group Exercise Leader, ASCM 5.  Bronze, Silver, Gold level American and International Style Ballroom Dance

Specialties

1.   Flexibility Training – Yoga 2.  Reflexology 3.  Guided Imagery (sport hypnosis) 4. Deep relaxation, breathing 5.  World Rhythms (Latin, Hawaiian, European) 6.  Social Dance for Health 7.  Ergonomic Fitness, injury prevention 8.  Posture, anatomical awareness