WORKSHOPS
FOR THE RENO COMMUNITY
September 19, 2025
12PM-5PM
$15/Workshop
Taught by Master Instructors
Our workshops are led by master instructors from both the Reno community and special guest artists. We welcome everyone who wants to move, explore, and express themselves—regardless of age* or skill level.*
Stay tuned for exciting announcements about this year’s workshop instructors!
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Who Can Attend?
Workshops are open to most ages and all experience levels.*
*Heels with Sara is 16+ due and Commercial Hip Hop with Sierra is 15+.
* Can You “Chance It” by Cari and Ballet by Patti we recommend participants be at least 7 or 8 years old. Parents are advised to use discretion on which class is right for their child and stay present during classes, as the space will be shared with adults. Please arrive early to make time to sign a waiver of liability.
* If you have an injury, special need, or condition, please arrive early to communicate your needs with the instructor.
Classical Ballet with Patti Casey
12:00PM
This is Patti’s second year teaching with us at The Reno Dance Festival and we are so thrilled to have her back! Patti Casey has been teaching ballet, modern, and creative movement in the Reno area for over 25 years. After receiving her B.F.A in dance from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance, she performed with companies in Minneapolis MN, Boulder CO, and danced for nine seasons with Reno’s Wing & A Prayer Dance Company. She has performed in works by George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Sarah Stackhouse, and Lula Washington to name a few. Patti has been on the faculty of many local studios and dance programs. Her choreography has most recently been performed at Truckee Meadows Community College, and she is currently teaching ballet at the University of Nevada, Reno and at local dance studios, Loft Dance Theater Arts (The Loft) and Dancin!
Heels with Sara Eastman
1:15PM
Welcome to Heels with Honey.
Step into your power, own your confidence, and move like you mean it. This class blends sultry choreography, strong technique, and unapologetic self-expression—set to music that makes you feel unstoppable.
You’ll learn how to walk, turn, and dance in heels with intention, while improving posture, core strength, and stage presence. Whether you’re brand new to heels or a seasoned dancer looking to refine your style, this is your safe space to explore, grow, and slay.
What to Bring:
Heels with ankle support (optional for beginners)
Comfortable clothing you can move in
A fierce attitude
Level: All levels welcome—modifications provided.
Ages: 16+
Honey (Sara Eastman) started dancing at the age of eight and grew up in the Sacramento area. Switching between being a synchronized swimmer in the summer and dancer in the winter, Honey developed movement and choreographic skills at a young age. Throughout high school, Honey was put in choreography and coaching roles to challenge her teaching skills. Throughout college and post graduate work, Honey was a performer and choreographer for theater productions such as: Annie, Young Frankenstein and Mama Mia. When Honey moved back to the Reno area, she put her whole energy into becoming a professional dancer. Honey now works for two Production companies in the local area and has been in numerous local shows.Throughout the last five years of being a professional dancer, Honey has also taught at multiple local dance studios including.
Honey is the founder of Honey Dance Production, a company tailored to building heels and jazz technique in the northern Nevada area. Dancing in their newest piece, Hallucinate.
Commercial Hip Hop:
“Groove Lab”
with Sierra Taylor-Cline
2:30PM
A chill, high-energy class for dancers 15 and up who want to move with style and confidence. Explore commercial hip hop choreography with musicality, clean technique, and your own vibe. Come ready to sweat, have fun, and grow your skills in a supportive, laid-back space.
Sierra Taylor-Cline is a professional dancer, choreographer, and creative director who has been shaping the northern Nevada dance scene since 2012.
Beginning her dance journey at age eight, Sierra first established a strong foundation in hip hop and has since trained extensively in heels, jazz, contemporary, and commercial dance. Her mastery of diverse styles informs a dynamic, emotionally resonant approach to choreography that consistently captivates audiences.
Ages: 15+
Over the years, Sierra has performed with numerous dance companies and productions, bringing her powerful stage presence and artistic vision to a wide range of projects. As an experienced instructor at local studios, she dedicates herself to mentoring the next generation of dancers—guiding competitive teams and nurturing individual talent through thoughtful, intentional training. Beyond the classroom, Sierra is celebrated for delivering innovative choreography for stage shows, competition routines, and commercial work across Northern Nevada. Her relentless drive to explore fresh ideas and her deep passion for storytelling through movement make her an in-demand creative force in the region’s performing arts community.
Can You “Chance It”?
Choreograpy Lab with Cari Cunningham
3:45PM - 5PM
This workshop will focus on getting “out of the way” in the choreographic process using chance procedure as a tool for generating and structuring movement material. Perfect for anyone who has ever felt “stuck” choreographically or those who enjoy play, this workshop is suitable for all ages. We will be moving, flipping coins, rolling dice and making art on the fly.
Cari Cunningham is an associate professor of dance at the University of Nevada, Reno where she teaches courses in modern dance technique, choreography, teaching methods, criticism/aesthetics, and history. She is the artistic director and founder of bellē contemporary dance co. and Cunningham’s choreographic work has been performed in New York City (at the DUMBO Dance Festival, Cool NY Dance Festival, and Greenspace “Take Root” series), Massachusetts (Shakespeare & Co. Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre and on the Inside/Out stage at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival), Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Puebla, Mexico. An avid fan of dancer/choreographer Merce Cunningham (no relation), she is intrigued by chance as a compositional tool and has taught choreographic workshops employing chance to students of all ages as well as exploring it in her own choreography, including her work for the 2025 Reno Dance Festival.
