Feel the Beat Team Member Spotlight: Amber Andrews

For our third Team Member Spotlight in our series featuring our amazing staff and dance instructors at Feel the Beat, we are featuring team member extraordinaire, Amber Andrews. Amber (AJ) Andrews (they/them) has been dancing since the age of five, with an immediate interest in tap and a continuously growing passion in modern and street dance. They trained with various instructors and taught throughout Southern California & Chicago before landing in Denver. Amber is currently a company member with Rocky Mountain Rhythm, a professional tap group in Denver. Amber has been an instructor for nearly 20 years now. After losing some of their hearing as an adult, they refocused their teaching methods on creating an accessible and safe space for all dancers. Amber’s classes focus on creating opportunities for their students to develop their own artistic style and fostering an environment of care and compassion. They currently teach with Feel the Beat, while also holding the title of Director of Training and Development. Amber is also a professional photographer and imaging specialist and loves to photograph the passionate students at Feel the Beat! You can view their work at andrewsartistry.com.

Tell us about your role at Feel the Beat. How long have you been at Feel the Beat and what drew you to the organization?

I’ve been volunteering with Feel the Beat since 2016! I joined their teaching staff in 2021 and took on an additional admin role in 2022. I just can’t stay away from this place!

What is your personal mission statement and what about that mission statement resonates with you most?

I have an entire accountability statement that I created with the assistance of Dance Education Equity Association, and I’m quite proud of it all and stand by it. But my favorite part is ”I will listen with an open heart and mind to both students and peers as I work to create safe spaces for dancers of all identities and experiences.” Dance spaces are often built with high expectations, little patience and no room for modification. I’m hard of hearing and have physical disabilities, so I often don’t feel welcome in typical dance classes. I’ve made my own mistakes as an instructor and have seen the ways in which I can constantly improve in making my classroom welcome for all who enter. I am always working on finding ways I can do better for those who trust me and open up their hearts to dance in my class.

Is there a person in your life you credit as being a key to what motivates or inspires you on a daily basis? How have they impacted your life both personally and professionally?

Dev Hill has been an amazing friend to me and a constant inspiration with the way they talk about accessibility in dance spaces. I am amazed by how much they have accomplished in their work and the amazing art they create. I’m so glad to have made a connection with Dev and have them in my corner. I’m also so motivated working alongside Jari Majewski-Price. Jari has an amazing vision and is constantly inspiring me to strive for more. I feel very lucky to get to work so closely with her.

Tell us about a recent experience you’ve had in your role at Feel the Beat – something funny, inspiring, challenging, etc.

My favorite moment at Feel the Beat so far was when we took our students to the Denver Art Museum to perform a dance they had been working on that season. It was the first time the kids had performed outside of the classroom and it was incredible to see their smiles and excitement as they stepped up on the stage. I was very proud of them all! Check out the video below!

Feel the Beat Día del Niño Performance at the Denver Art Museum

Outside of dancing at Feel the Beat, what do you like to do for fun?

I am a photographer and composite artist! I love to make fun photo mashups and amazing art and movie posters. My favorite project was a photo composite I made of Darth Vader drinking boba in an ice cream shop. Follow me on @‌andrews_artistry to see more!