Courtesy Dance Moves with Jen LLC
By Ann Donnelly
Jennifer Cornell, owner of Dance Moves with Jen LLC, didn’t grow up as a dancer. She started classes at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Saratoga 15 years ago when she and her husband were looking for things to do for a “date night.” As her passion for dance, particularly Latin dance, grew, she started leading and then teaching classes at Tango Fusion Dance Company while a full-time Spanish teacher at Lake George High School.
After six years at Tango Fusion, having also gained experience acting as a DJ and emcee at events, Cornell decided to go out independently and started Dance Moves with Jen LLC. Her passion for dance and music, with her added experience as a teacher, gives her a particular skill with running events and getting guests on the dance floor. Often accompanying Cornell is her husband, Chris.
“He does a lot of the MCing. He’s also a teacher, retiring this year, and is great in front of a group of people,” she says. “The rapport between us helps move the event along.”
A certified instructor in Salsa (Dance Vision) and West Coast Swing (GPDIA), in January 2024, Cornell started teaching weekly classes on Thursday evenings at Sunnyside and Ridge studio an event space, recently opened by Jennifer Islas in Queensbury.
“The West Coast Swing classes have been particularly popular. I get a wide variety of people, from high schoolers to retired people, because it can be danced to any style of music. We are developing a West Coast Swing community here,“ says Cornell.
She also offers monthly events with an upcoming Mardi Gras Masquerade at Glens Falls Country Club on February 24 and a Latin Dance night with a three-course Latin-themed dinner at Fort William Henry on March 8.
Cornell brings some unique skills to her work at events. She adds an interactive element to corporate events where guests can learn a dance, switch partners, etc. Fluent in Spanish, Cornell specializes in working events with a large Spanish-speaking audience, especially popular for quinceañeras, an event celebrating a girl’s 15th birthday that is traditional in Latin communities.
For those interested in learning dance who may be hesitant to come to a class, especially alone, Cornells says, “We are a very welcoming community, and we will get you going. I have a lot of assistance and can take you aside and give you some steps to start. You don’t need to come with a partner. Most people don’t. We rotate partners throughout the class.”
Cornell will officially launch Dance with Jen LLC on February 29 with a joint ribbon cutting with the Adirondack Regional Chamber and Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, followed by a party with dance lessons, open dancing, and pizza, all at no charge.
If you are in need of an interactive DJ for a wedding, birthday, retirement party or corporate event, remember Dance Moves with Jen offers both DJ and Dance lessons for her clients.
Find out more about Jennifer Cornell and Dance with Jen LLC at https://www.dancemoveswithjen.com.