CARA SHANKS - INSTRUCTOR

Cara Shanks is a sophomore at San Jacinto College. When Cara learned of her love for ballet she began studying with Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy for five years. It wasn’t until Cara began to study at RAFA directed by Lynette Mason Gregg under Luis Fuente where she found her true dancing home. Cara also graduated in the class of 2008 at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major under LuAnne Carter and Janie Carothers. Cara has performed in many of BAHBT’s productions such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Alice and Wonderland, Swan Lake, Firebird, Carmen, and many more. Cara received the Monticello Emerging Choreographer Award in 2009 at the RDA-SW Festival for her piece Intentions Within, where she was able to attend the Craft of Choreography Summer Workshop in Seattle, Washington. This is her second year teaching at RAFA. Cara is so excited to be teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and modern at RAFA.