Brenda Bobby

Brenda Bobby began dancing at the age of 3 when her pediatrician noticed how very naturally flexible her body was and encouraged her mother to enroll her immediately in dance class.

She grew up in a traditional, but competitive “tap” and “jazz” studio in Rochester, NY; however, she was told that “ballet is the foundation of dance,” and that it was through ballet that one would become a well-trained dancer.

Since Brenda was born with banana feet, very open hips, and a Gumby back, she didn’t understand why everyone couldn’t just do the things she could do, moving in a way she felt was so natural and easy. It wasn’t until she started teaching that she realized not everyone had her natural flexibility and aptitude for ballet.

Brenda was fortunate to work with the late Timothy Draper during her teen and college years. Tim was a well-respected and important figure in Rochester dance and the community. He also became Brenda’s friend and mentor. Not only did Tim help Brenda develop her movements, but he also taught her the methods behind the movements, and he trusted her as a teacher. In addition, Tim employed her while in college. Brenda credits Tim with helping to make her the teacher and person she is today.

Brenda graduated from the State University of New York – Brockport with a Dance and Health Sciences BS, and it was then that she decided to open her own studio. Brenda founded and operated Pittsford Dance for 20 years, starting with just a single room dance studio that grew to a nationally ranked studio that combined raw talent and hard work to develop professional dancers.

Over more than 20 years of teaching, Brenda developed many unique and special methods to connect dance and acro movement to relatable activities with which children and young adults could identify, successfully beginning with toys and other sports.

And yet, Brenda knew she needed more, so she began ¬¬broadening her horizons. She began attending The Dance Teacher Summit, Rhee Gold’s Studio Owners’ Retreat, Dance Teacher Expos, NYCDA’s teacher intensives, BDC Summer Teacher Intensives. She took advantage of any and every learning opportunity that could provide her with insight, ideas, and strategies to make the mind-body connection easier and more fluid for teachers and students.

Over the years, Brenda’s experience and thirst for knowledge led her to identify concepts and imagery from many resources that assisted her in bringing her own ideas and teaching aides to life.

• In 2012, Brenda became an adjudicator for Hall of Fame Dance Challenge, a national dance competition.

• In 2017, Brenda decided to expand her reach to more than just the students in Western New York. So she downsized her program in Pittsford, NY, and relocated to Miami, FL where she began teaching, consulting and connecting with dance and fitness professionals to further sharpen, refine and enhance her skills.

• Currently, Brenda runs a recreational program in Pittsford, NY, and works as an educator, consultant, and adjudicator for national competitions, conventions, studios, and individuals.

• Through her travels, professional experience, and exposure to different cultures, studios, dancers, and teachers, Brenda created a formal series of educational tools that have assisted her and her students over the years.

All this Brenda accomplished while still making time to rear her four children.