Spunky steps of who we are!
Let me take you on a little journey! Picture a tap dancer with more quirks than a tap shoe has taps! With autism and a dash of severe dyslexia, I have soared on my wings through challenges and founded Autistic Wings Dance Company, a nonprofit dance studio for dancers like me who aren’t quite normal. A place where people like me are free to be themselves. No judgement and plenty of understanding that things like silent seizures aren’t someone being disrespectful, they are medical issues. (Yes, I was lectured multiple times for not listening to dance teachers while having a silent seizure.)
Along this journey, I’ve been mentored by some of the best tap dancers ever (Chloe Arnold, Maud Arnold, Gisele Silva, and more), joined Miss Emmy-Nominate Chloe Arnold’s Youth Tap Company, SoleTalk (when your mentor’s been Emmy-Nominate, you have to make sure she remembers), started a nonprofit dance studio, started an international podcast, co-founded a dance company for kids like me, and I’m just fourteen!
Come join this insane journey, have some laughs, and enjoy traveling together through this journey we call life.
Jack Elvis and Vella
If you listen to the pdocast, or watch it on YouTube, you have probably heard Jack Elvis giving his opinion on the topic. He is, after all, a very opinionated Staffy. Jack Elvis is always dressed for success in his tuxedo. Or, he is just a black dog with a white tummy.
Jack Elvis adopted us! He was born at a shelter and lived with another family. But, he kept getting out of his yard and meeting up with Dad and Vella to take walks in our neighborhood. One Thanksgiving, Jack Elvis followed them back to our place and just moved in. His old family was kind enough to let Jack Elvis pack his bags and move in with us.
Jack Elvis loves car rides, destroying any stuffie he finds, destroying tennis balls instead of playing catch, chewing everything in sight, and trying to make friends.
Vella rarely shows up on the podcast. She tends to stay close to her favorite window on top of her favorite couch cushions. It is the perfect spot to keep watch on her lands. (The backyard.)
We adopted Vella from the shelter right as the world was opening back up from the COVID shutdown.
Vella collects stuffed animals, and is known to carry them around the house. She loves chasing small animals, stealing Chick-fil-a, and trying to convince Jack Elvis that he doesn’t want to make friends.
Mom (The Podcast Co-Host)
My mom, Amanda, is not only my co-host for the podcast, but she’s my teacher (I’m homeschooled), my manager, does all of the tech and production work for the podcast, and is the CEO/President of Autistic Wings Dance Company. Plus, she’s “mom” to our two dogs, Vella and Jack Elvis.
