Samantha McLoughlin (she/her)

Samantha McLoughlin, hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, began her dance journey at the tender age of three with a creative movement and ballet class. This early start ignited a lifelong passion for dance, leading her to train at Decidedly Jazz Dance Works, where she completed the professional dance program. Samantha's professional career began with Ballet Creole in Toronto, where she performed and honed her skills. In 2011, Samantha relocated to New York City to train at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Since then, she has been an active performer and educator, working with companies such as ARIM Dance, Mare Nostrum, and Rumbamena Dance Company. Her performances have also included collaborations with Shadow Box Theatre. Samantha’s teaching career spans several prestigious institutions. She has been on faculty at the Mark Morris Dance Group, where she has taught modern, ballet, jazz, and Horton techniques. Her approach at Mark Morris emphasizes technical excellence and creative exploration. At the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Samantha contributed to the training of young dancers with a focus on classical ballet, blending rigorous technique with artistic development. Her tenure at Peridance further showcased her expertise in modern and contemporary dance, where she inspired students to explore innovative movement possibilities. In addition to her work at these institutions, Samantha has created comprehensive dance curriculums and trained teachers. She has taught at Shadow Box Theatre and Notes in Motion, bringing her extensive experience to diverse educational settings. Samantha is also the founder of SammyJDance, a company dedicated to early childhood dance education. Her program focuses on providing young children with a strong foundation in dance while fostering a love for movement and creativity. Samantha’s commitment to dance education is further evidenced by her work as a choreographer for BarnArts and her participation in the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), where she presented a workshop on the Horton technique. Her workshops integrate influences from Native American and Afro-Caribbean dance, modern dance, and classical ballet, aiming to provide a holistic and inclusive dance experience. Samantha McLoughlin’s career reflects a dedication to both the technical and expressive aspects of dance, with a focus on creating enriching and supportive environments for students and performers alike.

www.sammyjdance.nyc