Lori Woods-Gay
Lori comes from a diverse background of artistic, academic, and administrative experience.
Competitor
As a competitor, she was a US Championship Finalist in Theater Arts with partner Rufus Dustin, New England Professional Champion and US Finalist in American Style with partner David Rosinski, US pro/am Theatre Arts, American Style Smooth and Grand Champion with husband John Gay. She was also invited to and danced in the prestigious Exhibition in Blackpool England.
Top Teacher and Judge
Lori parlayed her success on the dance floor into a long career, which includes "top teacher" at the United States Championship and numerous Championship events. She is a Championship and World Class Judge. She lectures, teaches, coaches and trains many candidates for their professional exams including lectures on American Style Smooth for the ISTD Congress in Worthing and London, England. She regularly Judges many competitions here in the US - including the United States Championship - and is often the Senior Invigilator overseeing the Dance Rules being observed.
Currently enjoys teaching for all ages and levels from beginner to advanced and fostering the enrichment and benefits of dance: the fun, relaxation, exercise, and social connection.
Degrees and Examiner
She spent considerable time studying the International styles technique of Ballroom and Latin in England with the legendary Elizabeth Romain and is one of very few US Imperial members who hold a Fellowship degree in all five branches of dance and is the only USISTD examiner in all five branches. She has also held these degrees with other dance teaching organizations for many years and is a choreographer and trainer in all five styles. Her credentials represent the highest level of academic qualifications.
She is proud to have been trained and mentored by Dance greats such as John Monte, Fran Rogers, Julius Kaiser, Dagmar Jarvel, and Roy Mavor, whose example, inspired her to become an Examiner. She examined as a member of the Fred Astaire National Dance Board, then became an examiner for United States Terpsichore Association (USTA) and later for the United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (USISTD), noq AIDA. Lori has examined hundreds of Professional Candidates and administered thousands of Medal tests to students throughout the United States.
Most recently, she was brought on to Dance Vision as a Senior Advisor for all Syllabus and exams. She is the only Dance Vision Examiner qualified to give Grand Master Exams in all five styles, and she currently works day-to-day with Dance Vision on syllabus and examinations.
Author
She is passionate about using dance technique to enrich the quality of dance on a practical level, and she has authored many articles on this topic including her "Technique Diva" column of Dance Beat. She most recently co-authored the Theatrical Dance Syllabus manual and DVD which is now available for study as a teaching guide and for examination by many of the Major Dance Teacher Organizations. Senior Advisor to Dance Vision and Co-Author dance teacher manuals Smooth Technique and Rhythm Manual for Bronze , Silver and Gold levels .
Administrator - Competition Organizer
As an administrator, Lori owned a Fred Astaire studio for twelve years and was a Member of the Fred Astaire National Dance Board. She worked with the late John Monte for five years organizing the U.S. Championships and co-organized one of the earlier NDCA Competitions, the Boston Bicentennial, started in 1975. She spent 8 years on the Executive Committee of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) and served as President of the USISTD. She currently volunteers her time on the Invigilation and the Credential and Education Committees for the NDCA.