Andy Taylor-Blenis
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Specialty:
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Active
Scottish, Portuguese
Scottish, Portuguese, international
Andy Taylor-Blenis is the daughter of Marianne and Conny Taylor, cofounders of the Folk Arts Center of New England. She began international folk dancing as a young child.
Marianne Taylor taught Portuguese dances Stockton Camp and Andy continues her work of reconstructing Portuguese dances.
Andy was certified in Scottish Country Dance at age 17. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amhurst with a BFA in dance and minor in Social Anthropology.
Andy teaches international dance through the Folk Arts Center of New England, Revels Inc., and Mass Movement as well as in private and public schools and universities.
In 2006, Andy founded and is the artistic director of Mladost Folk Ensemble in honor of her father, Conny Taylor. Andy is also currently artistic director for the RSCDS Demonstration Team and the Wheaton College Dance Group in Norton, Massachusetts.
She continues to teach modern and jazz dance at the college level as well as teaching in local studios.
Dances Andy has taught include Baile de Camacha, Bagi Verbunk és Forgós, Bagikarikázó, Köcsárdás, Lakodalmi Tánc, Malhao, Nã Vás Ão Mar Tonho, Olahos, Kapuvári Verbunk, Rosinha de Afife, Rosinha de San Lourenco, Ruzga de Santa Marta, Somogy Karikázó, Vira Cruzada, Vira da Nazará, and Vira do Sitio.