Taryn Colby

Taryn Colby started dancing when she was eight years old in Lancaster, NH at the local Recreation Center. She then moved on to a local studio nearby where she danced competitively by the age of 12. While attending Lyndon Institute, she made it into the high school Dance Company her freshman year, becoming a co-captain for the group by her junior year. Taryn graduated in 2016 from Johnson State College (now Northern Vermont University) with a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and her teaching licensure with an endorsement in Dance. Her studies focused on Dance, Education & Sociology. During her college years, Taryn taught dance enrichment classes for Johnson Elementary's after-school program, was elected Vice President of the NVU Dance Club her junior year, and became President her senior year. Throughout her academic journey, Taryn worked with Rebecca McGregor, head of the dance program at Lyndon Institute, Nichole Lefaivre-Damon, dance teacher at Lamoille Union High School, Maris Wolff, former Dance professor at JSC and Isaac Eddy, current head of the Arts Department at NVU. Taryn also completed many practicum hours during her internship with Alexis George Owen, Artistic Director of Lamoille Valley Dance Academy, while observing & teaching classes at the academy. After graduation from NVU/ Johnson, Taryn traveled to New Zealand to be an au pair for six months and returned to Vermont after accepting the Varsity Dance Team Coach position at Enosburg Falls High School. In May of 2017, Taryn was hired at North Country Union High School as the full-time Dance & Drama Teacher, which is where she still teaches today. During her first two years of teaching, Taryn returned to school to receive her second endorsement in Theater Arts, participating in courses both at NVU and UVM. Taryn is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization and attends the National Conference as often as possible. In her current position at North Country High School, Taryn directs the fall musical productions and coaches the Varsity Dance Team. Outside of her faculty position at North Country High School, Taryn has been a popular guest teacher at Lamoille Valley Dance Academy, offering dance workshops during the summer program. Taryn is thrilled to be back full-time this year as the Lyrical/Contemporary teacher at the LVDA.