Bio
Alicia Manica is the Director of Stunning Dance Studio. She grew up in Greenfield, MA and began dancing at Karen’s Dance Studio. From junior high to college she was a member of the Greenfield High School chorus and later a select choir member. At Berkshire Community College she continued her love for music and dance by being selected into the select choir there as well. After High School, she went on for further study at the Hartford Conservatory in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Improv, Music for Dancers, and Somatics with a concentration in Dance Pedagogy and Performance. She graduated from the Hartford Conservatory in 2007, with a diploma in Dance Pedagogy and Performance. She has been teaching dance and Acro for over 18 years for children age two to adult. Alicia also has experience in choreographing and performing for local theater, choral groups, and for circus routines at French Woods Performing arts Camp. She is a former member of Crazefaze Hip Hop Crew from Massachusetts.
After studying Kinesiology at the Hartford Conservatory, she went on to further he interest in rehabilitation and anatomy at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA. In 2012, Alicia graduated from Berkshire Community College with an Associates in Science; Physical Therapist Assistant Degree. She has been practicing as a licensed PTA for 7 years now. Her interest in teaching the geriatric population and people with neurological disorders has stemmed from her work in Physical Therapy with a focus in Orthopedics and Neurology. Alicia’s greatest passion is teaching dance to the adults with disabilities and has an immense compassion for those living with autoimmune diseases. She teaches a dance class she created for those living with MS and other Neurological disorders called, Dance Fusion in the summers and volunteers for the Healing Motion Ballet Barre class for Neurological Disorders at the Skaggs Wellness Center for the University of Utah. She is a former volunteer teacher of two years for the Dance for Parkinson’s program through the University of Utah, under the direction of Juan Carlos.
She is a 2019 graduate of the modern dance program at the University of Utah, School of Dance. Throughout her time at the University of Utah, Alicia has worked with the faculty in residency and performed in Jackie Lopez’s piece, “Warriors of Light,” as a member of the Performing Dance Company performance. She recently premiered new work in progress for the Senior Making Dances show. She performed in the Modern Senior Concert under work by Lauren Edson and showcasing her finished work, “Paths least traveled,” which incorporates dancers of all abilities. She also performed in RDT's production of, Regalia, in a piece by Dimitri Peskov.
Upon graduation, she spent the summer as Program Assistant for AXIS Dance Company in Oakland, California. She is a former teacher for Elements Dance Academy, Fierce Dance Academy, and Children's Ballet Theater in SLC,Utah. She is a former teacher for Minding In Motion, a program that helps the aging population reach their fullest potential through dance. Through dance she worked to help alleviate the symptoms of medical conditions by increasing cognitive function, range of motion, balance, and strength to liberate participants. She taught for Minding in Motion throughout SLC county at many nursing care facilities and senior centers until COVID hit.
She currently teaches workshops and is a guest teachers at many studios and schools in the SLC area. Last year she received certification as a PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) teacher, which is a conditioning program for ballet, contemporary dancers, and athletes of all ages and levels. She most recently performed in SLC Ballet's production of the Nutcracker in the "Snow," scene. She just completed her 200-hour Wellness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training, to teach inclusive and trauma-informed yoga classes to adults and young people. Alicia continues to perform and produce choreography of which have one high point and overall awards at local competitions. She also enjoys being a photographer in her spare time and loves to photograph dancers and the great outdoors! She has two cute tuxedo kitties that she treats as her children. She loves working with kids and teaching all genres of dance. She can't wait to continue to continue to share her passion and love for dance and movement as the studio continue to grow. Alicia believes that dance is for everyone and seeks to create an inclusive, positive, and welcoming dance community where all can be their best selves!