Name While In School: Rachel Benke
Pronouns: She/Her
Graduation Year: 1997
Major: Dance
Current Town of Residence: Collinsville
Occupation:Choreographer, Dance Instructor, Dance Adjudicator, Master Class Instructor
Extracurricular activities while a student at LVA: Theatre, Thespian Troop, Dream Tour USA
Hobbies & Interests: Musical Theatre, Art, Pottery
Things I’m good at: Positivity, encouragement.
Brief Bio: Rachel Roberts is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. Involved in many aspects of the performing arts since the age of three, Rachel has studied all genres of dance, musical theatre, acting, voice, piano, and gymnastics. Graduating with honors and a major in dance from the Las Vegas Academy, Rachel has toured Nevada, California, and China with Dream Tour USA, and performed in numerous dance concerts and musicals. Favorite LVA credits include guest dancer for pianist Giovanni, featured dancer in “Leader of the Pack”, Peter in “Peter and the Wolf”, Kristine in “A Chorus Line”, and soloist in “Sweet Charity”. Other favorites include Mitzie in “Crazy for You” at Spring Mountain Ranch and a cast member in Golden Rainbow’s Ribbon Of Life Production. Rachel often served as dance captain or choreographer for these projects. She has also participated in many pageants and dance competitions winning local, state and national titles as well as working as a print and commercial model. Rachel attended Oklahoma City University and participated in the Senior Choreography Shows and was a member of The Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company and the internationally acclaimed American Spirit Dance Company. In 2002, she received a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business and was named the Outstanding Graduating Senior in Entertainment Business. Currently, Rachel focuses on private lessons and choreography for dance competitions and pageants in addition to teaching recreational dance classes in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. She travels as a dance competition adjudicator, master class instructor, and contract choreographer. She has been in the arts education field for over 15 years. She is married to her husband of almost 20 years and has a 15-year-old daughter.
Skills that being a part of the LVA community gave me: Determination, Commitment, Focus, Strong Technique in my craft, the ability to work with anyone in any setting