Miss Popino has been the dance teacher at Iselin Middle School for the past 4 years. She is also the director of a dance company. She has been dancing since she was very young. Today, we asked Miss Popino about her dance experience and history.
Panther Press: When did you start dancing?
Ms. Popino: I started dancing when I was 4 years old.
Panther Press: What inspired you to start dancing?
Ms. Popino: I was obsessed with American Girl Dolls, and they came out with the Ballet dancer American Girl Doll.
Panther Press: Who was your number one supporter in your dance career?
Ms. Popino: It was my Mom, because she’s the one who started taking me to classes and eventually took me to the city for professional classes and auditions.
Panther Press: Did you picture yourself as a dance teacher?
Ms. Popino: Yes, it was my dream to become a professional dancer, and eventually that shifted to a dance teacher.
Panther Press: What styles of dance do you do?
Ms. Popino: I would say I’d done almost all styles of dance. As I’ve gotten older, I’m more interested in cultural.
Panther Press: When did you start teaching dance?
Ms. Popino: I was in the 6th grade when I started helping in dance classes. I have been teaching at IMS for four years.
Panther Press: In your opinion, what is the best way to learn a dance?
Ms. Popino: The best way is to come to dance with an open mind and try your best, no matter how many times you fail.
Panther Press: What was the hardest dance routine you had to perform?
Ms. Popino: In college, I had to perform a 45-minute number. I wasn’t on stage the whole time, but we only had a week to learn it.
Panther Press: What struggles have you gone through during your career?
Ms. Popino: The biggest struggle that I had to face was when I had to decide where my career was gonna go, because after I finished college, quarantine happened, so there was nowhere for me to audition and practice.
Panther Press: What would you say is a better attitude or technique when performing?
Ms. Popino: I think attitude is better because technique can be practiced whenever you want, but attitude can not be practiced as much as technique.
