Gretchen West lamb

Hello, my name is Gretchen West Lamb and I dance because it connects me with a community

of people who support me expressing the unique person that I am and in becoming my very

best self. In this dance community I have found teachers, directors, and fellow dancers who

have encouraged me to challenge myself and not give up when I have felt like I had failed. I

remember a time when my parents told the director of my company that they could not afford

my dance classes anymore and I would need to stop attending. The director told my parents

that dance was a part of me and that they would see that although this was a roadblock at the

time, I would find a way to perform and dance. This director’s belief in me gave me the

validation and encouragement I needed to confront this and future obstacles. Dance has given

me the determination and perseverance to overcome struggles and come out stronger, having

achieved the goals I set for myself. Having had these experiences motivates me to support

others in dance, the same way I have been and facilitate not only creating dances, but great

opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

I am excited to teach at Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet (OCCB) because students are

given the opportunity to develop while being challenged in a holistic way. With this as a

foundation, a dance student can make mistakes as they learn because they are in nurturing

environment where they are encouraged and supported to overcome fears and challenges so

they can progress. I love that OCCB encourages and supports their students to be their unique

and authentic selves while learning the art of dance. I have already felt the strong sense of the

OCCB community and I am excited to be a part of and contribute to it, as well. I know that this

will happen as I get to know each of my students and have wonderful memories with them and

others at OCCB.

What does she teach?

Ms Gretchen teaches Elementary 3, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, and Pointe classes.

Training

  • 40+ years of dance experience

  • Peninsula School of Performing Arts

  • Los Angeles County High Schoo for the Arts

  • Diane Lauridsen Ballet Centre

  • Brigham Young University, Minor- Dance, Ballet

  • Ailey School and Extension: Ballet, Modern, and Jazz

  • International Dunham Technique Seminar

  • NYU, MA, Dance Education

Has worked with

  • Donald Hewitt

  • Diane Lauridsen

  • Paula Morgan

  • Karon Lehman-Brown

  • Multiple Master Dunhan Teachers

  • Finis Jhung

Performance and choreography

  • NYU 2023 Graduation, I Need You- Radio City Music Hall

  • NYU 2023 Masters Concert, performed a professor’s piece and choreographed, My

    Dear Child

  • NYU 2022 Distinguished Faculty Concert

  • Evita and multiple musical dance theatre productions

  • Disney Entertainment

  • Firebird, South Bay Ballet, Hollywood Bowl

  • Choreographed for Center for the Arts-Manassas, Musical Dance Theatre, and School

    Productions - 30 years