Robyn LaPorta

Robyn Lynn LaPorta began her training at the age of nine at Flex Florida Dance Exchange (FLEX) under the artistic direction of Ginny East and staff members Alison Norton and Steven Vincent. She performed with the FLEX Performing Company for two years. At the age of 11, Ms. LaPorta began 3 years of formal ballet training including the Vaganova Method at Florida Ballet Arts (FBA). She was trained under the direction of Lynn Winslow and faculty members Catherine Huh, Systie Fairweather, Kim Freedom, and Bryan Tippen.

At the age of 12, Ms. LaPorta was selected by Jean Allenby-Weidner and Eddy Toussaint to join the former Sarasota Ballet Junior Company under the artistic direction of the world acclaimed Eddy Toussaint.

After performing with the Sarasota Ballet Junior Company, Ms. LaPorta trained at Beverly's School of Dance (now known as Starz Choice Dance Academy) under the direction of Fletcher McClendon for 6 years. As Fletcher McClendon's assistant for 2 years she trained to become a dance teacher. At age 15, she began her career as a teacher and choreographer. Ms. LaPorta specialized in Jazz and Lyrical, and taught and choreographed for Beverly's School of Dance, Venice Little Theatre, Venice High School and Steven Vincent's The Dance Studio.

As a jazz dancer, Ms. LaPorta performed for Starpointe Jazz Productions under the direction of Fletcher McClendon. With Starpointe, she danced for Industrials, Festivals and for the Oxy Chem Corporation's National Convention Video. In 1997, she assisted Mr. Frank Hatchett, "Master of Jazz" from the world famous Broadway Dance Center in New York City, as a choreography demonstrator for his South Florida Master Classes. In addition to her training with Fletcher McClendon, Robyn Lynn has also studied with Frank Hatchett, Keith Clifton, Carol Conners, Randy Allaire, Jacqueline Hill, Rhonda Miller, Gregg Russell, Pamela Bowling, and Georgio Fagan in jazz and Hip Hop.

Robyn Lynn LaPorta competed at national dance competitions where she won high point and 1st Place. She has choreographed and performed for the Venice Little Therare, The Players Theater and starred in the show "1940s Radio Hour" at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater. Other professional credits include dancer for the USBL SHARKS Basketball Dance Team. She is proud that her choreography won highest point and 1st Place during the 2002 Pro-Bowl Hawaii competition.

Ms. LaPorta is a graduate of the prestigious University of Florida's Journalism and Communications School specializing in radio and television broadcasting. She received a minor in Women's Studies from the University of Florida's Women, Gender and Research Center. Her experience also includes working for Gainesville's TV station WLUF-LP, Channel 10 where she was the on-air host, producer and editor for the weekly show, "On The Spot". Ms. LaPorta is the Rape Training and Education Specialist/Coordinator for Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center of Sarasota, Inc. (SPARCC)