Gretchen Hurd received her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University in 2002. Her 16 year performance career in Pittsburgh includes company member positions with Laboratory Company Dance (LABCO), The August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, Dance Alloy Theater, STAYCEE PEARL dance project, Gia T Presents and TanzTheater Andre Kozlowski and has performed as a guest artist with Pillow Project Dance Company, Attack Theater, and West Virginia Dance Company. Hurd has taught Contemporary, Hip Hop, Improvisation, Modern, Jazz and Salsa to all ages throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia at Festivals, intensives, dance studios and colleges. With an eclectic, energetic, lighthearted, and supportive approach, Hurd prides herself on creating a safe place for students to feel comfortable to explore, constructively analyze and grow as artists. She prepares her students to enter the world with a thirst for a well-rounded knowledge of dance regardless of the path they decide to pursue and a positive approach to a lifetime of learning and growth.