Rachel Shelton Executive Director & Lead Instructor
Rachel's first stage debut as a dancer was at age 2, when her father's band was performing for John Cage, famous composer of Avante-Garde Classical who often used the "Chance" method and relished in the unplanned performance of a bold toddler.
Rachel danced constantly and her parents' artsy friends commented that she moved like Martha Graham. She briefly went to ballet classes, but quickly grew bored. When she reached fourth grade, Rachel's school started a flamenco dance program and built a professional floor in the music room. She and her sister, Jade, loved it! They attended classes every week and performed at many of the local events in Santa Fe, New Mexico, such as Fiestas and Spanish Market.
At age 15, Rachel's step-mom and sisters started attending belly dance classes. Rachel decided to tag along, and fell in love. Rachel and Jade were invited to attend the first year of the Pomegranate S.E.E.D.s teen mentorship program. Upon graduation, Myra Krien asked both girls to dance with the student troupe, Ahatti, in which they performed frequently in restaurants, weddings, local events and theaters.
Rachel relocated to Portland in 2004 to study American Sign Language. She became fluent, but decided interpreting was not the right path for her. She started volunteering for S.E.E.D.s of Euphoria in 2008, and directing the program in 2011.
Rachel enrolled in a nine month Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in 2010 with her father and stepmom, and received certification in 2011. She is currently enrolled at Portland State University and will be receiving a degree in Administration of Child and Family Services in 2014.
"My passion in life is to help others to heal and evolve to their full potential. Whether I’m helping a friend or teaching someone to dance, I want to make sure they have the best experiences possible and to hold space for them so they can manifest their excellence."
Rachel danced constantly and her parents' artsy friends commented that she moved like Martha Graham. She briefly went to ballet classes, but quickly grew bored. When she reached fourth grade, Rachel's school started a flamenco dance program and built a professional floor in the music room. She and her sister, Jade, loved it! They attended classes every week and performed at many of the local events in Santa Fe, New Mexico, such as Fiestas and Spanish Market.
At age 15, Rachel's step-mom and sisters started attending belly dance classes. Rachel decided to tag along, and fell in love. Rachel and Jade were invited to attend the first year of the Pomegranate S.E.E.D.s teen mentorship program. Upon graduation, Myra Krien asked both girls to dance with the student troupe, Ahatti, in which they performed frequently in restaurants, weddings, local events and theaters.
Rachel relocated to Portland in 2004 to study American Sign Language. She became fluent, but decided interpreting was not the right path for her. She started volunteering for S.E.E.D.s of Euphoria in 2008, and directing the program in 2011.
Rachel enrolled in a nine month Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training in 2010 with her father and stepmom, and received certification in 2011. She is currently enrolled at Portland State University and will be receiving a degree in Administration of Child and Family Services in 2014.
"My passion in life is to help others to heal and evolve to their full potential. Whether I’m helping a friend or teaching someone to dance, I want to make sure they have the best experiences possible and to hold space for them so they can manifest their excellence."
