Learn more about Samantha
Samantha Tort is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Williamston, Michigan.
As a dancer, she began her journey with Elizabeth Williams School of Dance and Children’s Ballet Theater in the Lansing area. In her early career she learned ballet, pointe, pas de deus, tap, jazz, and modern from her teachers Elizabeth Williams, Elzbieta Alabuszew-Kutek, and Jesse Powers. Over the summer, she continued her education at Grand Rapids Ballet and BalletMet summer dance intensives. In her collegiate career she continues her studies at Grand Valley State University with majors in Dance and Exercise Science. Samantha continued to improve in ballet, modern and contemporary while acquiring skills in African dance. She has had the opportunity to learn from her professors Carrie Brueck-Morris, Hannah Seidel, Rachel Miller, Edgar Page, Stephan Sanford, Samantha Shelton, Dana Powers-Klooster, Dawnell Black, and Alexandra Meister-Upleger. She has also had the privilege to work with guest choreographers Justin Koertgen, Alissa Tollefson, and TruDee.
As a performer she has performed in several styles throughout her dance journey. Growing up, she performed in several principle and leading roles in the ballets Nutcracker, Robin Hood, Camelot, and Alice in Wonderland. In early college, she performed in the Back to Our Roots Showcase with Lansing Community College. At Grand Valley State University, Samantha has performed in several Dance Department showcases throughout 2019-2022. She is also an active member of the student dance organization, Momentum, performing in their charity performances each semester since 2019.
As a choreographer and teacher, Samantha is emerging and thriving. She is currently a teacher at Evolve Dance Studio in Rockford, Michigan teaching ballet and pointe to a variety of ages. She is currently teaching at Lake Michigan Dance Academy working with dancers in creative dance and combo classes. She is an active dance substitute as well. Samantha has choreographed for the “Back to Our Roots” showcase with Lansing Community College. She has also choreographed and co-choreographed for Grand Valley State University in their “Fall 2020 Dance Concert”. Samantha has produced several student works for submission into her student dance organization and for public viewing.