Here at Yes, You Can Dance! EVERY month is Volunteer Appreciation Month. Therefore each month we will be spotlighting one of our wonderful volunteers (as well as one of our wonderful students). Robyn is originally from East Lyme, CT and discovered that she loved dance through a ballroom class she took in college.  She ended up taking a beginners class and was surprised she enjoyed it as much as she did.  She then took a competition class and enjoyed competing and placing at the newcomer and bronze levels.

She studied architecture at Penn State and moved to Pittsburgh for work after she graduated in 2014.  She currently works at IKM Inc, an architecture firm downtown and is working towards becoming a licensed architect.  Her younger brother Max has Asperger’s, and as she grew up with him along with being a part of his support network it inspired her to help others in whatever way she can.  She never thought she would find an organization like Yes, You Can Dance! that would let her combine that drive with her love for dance!

After moving to Pittsburgh, she struggled to find a ballroom dance community that she could enjoy being part of.  A friend and fellow volunteer Catherine Osterritter told her about YYCD and since discovering YYCD she has loved every moment!  In regards to mentoring Robyn states, “There’s a contagious enthusiasm in every level, and I love laughing and being goofy with the students.  At YYCD, everyone is so genuine in their inhibition and excitement to dance.  Working with the Art of Performance class has been a unique joy, and getting to know each of the dancers has made Thursday evenings the highlight of my week.  It is so wonderful to feel the energy in the room at every YYCD class… there is such a flood of positivity and joy in every dancer… it’s always a huge mood-booster!”