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Shalay grew up in a small town in Arizona. From a young age, Shalay always loved how the music made her feel and, more importantly, the emotions it evoked in her. Throughout High School, Shalay was on the dance team, but no resources were available to take dance lessons. Shalay started expressing herself through partner dancing at the local country dances. Instantly, Shalay loved the feeling of connection that partner dancing brought.
In 1997, Shalay joined a country dance team at Utah Valley University. This was the first time she found herself at a UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Circuit) event, where she fell in love with West Coast Swing. All night long, she would watch the pros in the ‘swing’ room and could not find a way to leave the dance floor. In 1999, Shalay attended her first WSDC (World Swing Dance Council) event, where she saw Jessica Cox and Jordan Frisbee dancing a junior routine. At that moment, Shalay knew this was the dance for her. It stole her heart.
Shalay also had a strong desire to get married and start a family. In 1999, Shalay got married and began her family. Within five years, Shalay had four children. Shalay would keep up her passion through social dancing on the weekend and travel to a convention several times yearly to continue her training.
Shalay currently resides in Mapleton, Utah, with her husband. Shalay found her true passion when she started teaching West Coast Swing and saw how she could positively impact others’ lives through the art of West Coast Swing, along with somatic tools like breathwork, to help regulate their nervous systems. She continues to travel and train with top professionals on the art of teaching and helping others grow their dancing while creating vibrancy throughout their dance journey.
In 2014, after being a Dance Coach and Event Director for over 12 years, Shalay returned to school for her Bachelor and then in 2023 to get her MBA. Shalay continues teaching dance and contracting work for a non-profit that supports the leprosy-affected in India. Shalay can connect with everyone she coaches and help them excel in dance and all areas of their life. Shalay loves being a mother and assisting others in finding joy in life.
Meet Shalay
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MBA, Executive Program; Brigham Young University 2023
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West Coast Swing Dance Instructor since 2003
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Reiki Practitioner - 2023
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Promethean Spark International Life Coach through the Arts - 2016
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Global Professional Dance Instructor (GPDIA) - 2016
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West Coast Swing 101 Certified - 2015
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Neo Tantra Certified Coach - In The Works