Sissy Dawson has studied dance in Portland since age 3. While maintaining a primary focus on ballet in her training, she has also trained extensively in jazz, modern, West African, and contemporary dance under the guidance of Sarah Rigles, Candalee Wrede, Jason & Michelle Davis, Amy Bonaduce, DJ Rayley, Donnie Lewis, Sekou Walker, Claire Olberding, and many more beloved teachers. She graduated from the Pre-Professional Program at Classical Ballet Academy at age seventeen and was asked to join CBA staff in 2010. She was promoted to Artistic Director of the Pre- Professional Contemporary, Modern, Jazz and Fusion Program in 2016 after officially joining the teaching staff in 2014. She choreographed and performed as a soloist with Agneiszka Laska Dancers until 2014 where she was able to perform with the Chicago Philharmonic orchestra in Chicago and tour internationally to Mexico and Poland as well as locally. She continues to dance and perform in Portland today. She has trained dancers for the prestigious competitions Youth America Grand Prix and New York City Dance Alliance where her pieces have received top scores and have moved on to finals in both competitions in New York City. She loves working with the dedicated students of CBA and her fellow teachers. Having grown up in this community, she feels fortunate to be able give back by helping foster the next generation’s development and love of dance. Being able to help young dancers grow and expand as people and artists is one of her greatest joys.