Instructor of dance, perfectionist of ballet, muse of jazz, tap sensation. Who could this be? None other than Arcadia High’s very own Ms. Liza Tedford. At the tender age of six, she started her formal training in a dance studio in Northern California. At the time she started to major on ballet and even joined a prestigious ballet company for nine years. As time changes, so does Ms. Tedford’s favorite genre of dance; so its no surprise that as she grew older she began to concentrate more on jazz. When Ms. Tedford set out for college, she was exposed to modern style dance and “fell in love” with its innovative new moves.
After graduating college, Ms. Tedford was discovered and asked to join the NBA’s Los Angeles Clipper Girls. While with the Clipper Girls, she met many celebrities such as Billy Crystal, most famous for Oscar Nominee, When Harry Met Sally… While cheering for the L.A. Clippers, Ms. Tedford met Basket Hall of Famer—Earvin “Magic” Johnson who played for the rival team, the Lakers. She thought that “he was super cool” but also a “player”. TV announcer, Bill Walton was always kind and humble, which seemed quite “amazing for a man with such a great athletic history.” One thing that Ms. Tedford learned from being acquainted with celebrities is that “fame generally turns people into unkind and dismissive twerps.” Ms. Tedford was able to stay sane thanks to the rest of the Clipper Girls, who were really friendly, supportive, and they became her best friends. The thing that Ms. Tedford remembers most is “the size and energy of the crowd[s]” of the Clipper fans.
Transitioning from the buzz and excitement of the Clippers to the lifestyle of a dance teacher was huge because they were opposites. Ms. Tedford was able to do just fine due to her desire for dance—her whole life had revolved around it. There was not a time in her life that she did not want to be a dancer, she “needs dancing like [she] need[s] food.” Whenever Ms. Tedford dances she “can be anyone, be anywhere, do anything” and there is nothing “complicated” about it.
Many of Ms. Tedford’s beginning dancers slowly but surely make their way up to the Orchesis Dance Company. She loves to watch the development of the “untapped talent” her kids reveal once they are free from all the pressures of high school and able to just dance. She constantly encourages her students to “just go for it” because it’s learning. It is always better to take the risk and find out what happens rather than regretting what “could” have happened. After her disciples graduate, they still keep in touch with each other and she even goes to some of their performances. Jia Huang, an old student, was a back-up singer for one of Britney Spears’ concert and Ms. Tedford came to watch how much Jia had grown since high school. She loves hearing from each and every one of her students because it “warms [her] heart.”
Ms. Tedford may seem quiet and shy but she is really bubbly, happy person that has a strong passion for dance because she can express herself through it. Take the time and get to know your teachers, you may never know who they truly are—until you ask.
After graduating college, Ms. Tedford was discovered and asked to join the NBA’s Los Angeles Clipper Girls. While with the Clipper Girls, she met many celebrities such as Billy Crystal, most famous for Oscar Nominee, When Harry Met Sally… While cheering for the L.A. Clippers, Ms. Tedford met Basket Hall of Famer—Earvin “Magic” Johnson who played for the rival team, the Lakers. She thought that “he was super cool” but also a “player”. TV announcer, Bill Walton was always kind and humble, which seemed quite “amazing for a man with such a great athletic history.” One thing that Ms. Tedford learned from being acquainted with celebrities is that “fame generally turns people into unkind and dismissive twerps.” Ms. Tedford was able to stay sane thanks to the rest of the Clipper Girls, who were really friendly, supportive, and they became her best friends. The thing that Ms. Tedford remembers most is “the size and energy of the crowd[s]” of the Clipper fans.
Transitioning from the buzz and excitement of the Clippers to the lifestyle of a dance teacher was huge because they were opposites. Ms. Tedford was able to do just fine due to her desire for dance—her whole life had revolved around it. There was not a time in her life that she did not want to be a dancer, she “needs dancing like [she] need[s] food.” Whenever Ms. Tedford dances she “can be anyone, be anywhere, do anything” and there is nothing “complicated” about it.
Many of Ms. Tedford’s beginning dancers slowly but surely make their way up to the Orchesis Dance Company. She loves to watch the development of the “untapped talent” her kids reveal once they are free from all the pressures of high school and able to just dance. She constantly encourages her students to “just go for it” because it’s learning. It is always better to take the risk and find out what happens rather than regretting what “could” have happened. After her disciples graduate, they still keep in touch with each other and she even goes to some of their performances. Jia Huang, an old student, was a back-up singer for one of Britney Spears’ concert and Ms. Tedford came to watch how much Jia had grown since high school. She loves hearing from each and every one of her students because it “warms [her] heart.”
Ms. Tedford may seem quiet and shy but she is really bubbly, happy person that has a strong passion for dance because she can express herself through it. Take the time and get to know your teachers, you may never know who they truly are—until you ask.