Smuin Center for Dance Faculty
Cora is a Bay Area dance teacher who believes in supporting the holistic dancer. She encourages confidence while honing artistry and technique. Cora trained at Alonzo King Lines Ballet and at Black Box Studios under the direction of Ballet22 artistic director Theresa Knudson. Cora’s goal as a teacher is to help each student find their own passion for dance — and to always keep pushing themself to reach their potential.
Valerie Harmon (she/her) is from Lompoc, California, and danced with Smuin Ballet for three years before retiring from her performance career and completing her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from San Francisco State University. Valerie loves blending her education with her love of dance through ballet classes with a strong technical foundation. Her stretch and strength classes combine functional movements with strengthening exercises to promote a greater sense of well-being and body awareness by the end of class! She believes that dance and movement are for any body, at any age, at any level, and enjoys sharing her love of dance and exercise with her students. In Valerie’s class you are sure to learn, sweat, and move your body!
Fave SF Spot: China Beach
Thing that most inspires me: Hiking in all of the beautiful places near San Francisco
Best advice a teacher ever gave me: Sometimes it takes corrections a bit of time to ‘sink in’ – be persistent and enjoy all of the little successes along the way!
Benjamin is a Bay Area ballet teacher and former ballet dancer with Ballet Memphis, Alberta Ballet, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, and Post:ballet. He is a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor and his classes center a methodical approach to the high demands of ballet on the body.
Lexi Duff is a Bay Area dancer and teacher. After attending the LINES training program, Lexi has danced for many companies in the area including Post:ballet. She enjoys kite-surfing and the ocean.
Terez Dean Orr (she/her) teaches Intermediate/Advanced Ballet on Wednesdays. Originating from the Hudson Valley of NY, Terez has danced with Smuin Ballet for fourteen seasons, sharing her passion for dance with the audience and her students. Terez’s classes dive into the elements of neoclassical technique, focusing on dynamic footwork, musicality, and the expansiveness of movement. Approachable, positive, and built to work up a sweat, Terez will help each dancer improve their strength, balance, and grace, all with a smile!
Favorite San Francisco neighborhood: My vibrant neighborhood of the Castro: on any given day, you may find a cellist on her stoop, an Opera singer practicing in the park, or a colorful costume bestowing a queen. This area represents the artistic and eclectic beauty that makes up our unique city.
Thing that most inspires you: Traveling, discovering new architecture, food, and culture.
Best advice a teacher ever gave you: “Always feel as if you are draped in the finest of jewels when approaching class or rehearsal. Don’t dance like a frozen fish stick.”
Emma Andre is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Oakland, California. They studied contemporary dance with an emphasis in ballet at The Boston Conservatory, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2021. After graduating Emma moved to New York to work as a freelance performer and teacher. There, she had the pleasure of teaching children within the New York Public School system. Emma moved to Oakland in June of 2023, and has enjoyed dancing and connecting with students in the Bay Area. Since moving, they have had the pleasure of teaching at Berkeley Ballet Theater, Boys and Girls club of SF, TuTu School, and Smuin Ballet.