Meet Carrie Woodson
Degrees and Experience
- M.A., Dance (California State University, Long Beach)
- B.A., Dance (California State University, Fullerton)
Biography and Professional Achievements
Professor Woodson brings extensive experience as both an educator and performing artist. Her professional performance credits include the Disneyland Resort, Glory of Christmas, Glory of Easter, and His Grace Dance Ministry. She also toured internationally with California State University, Fullerton's Dance Repertory Theatre and His Grace Dance Ministry.
Her training has been shaped by influential teachers and artists representing major traditions in modern and jazz dance, including Robin Johnson of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Colin Connor of the José Limón Dance Company, Sharon Kinney of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Susan McLain of the Martha Graham Dance Company, Loretta Livingston, Christine Baltes of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and Janell Burgess of Jazz Spectrum Dance Company.
Professor Woodson is currently in her 13th year with the Rancho Santiago Community College District, where she serves as adjunct faculty at Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College. Her teaching experience includes Dance History, Ballet, Screen Dance, Pilates, Dance Conditioning, Choreography, Production, Jazz, and Cardio Fit in the Continuing Education and Distance Education divisions.
She is excited to begin her first year teaching at Colorado Christian University and considers it a privilege to mentor students in a Christ-centered academic community.
Whether in the classroom, studio, or on the stage, Professor Woodson is committed to cultivating technical excellence, artistic integrity, creativity, and lifelong learning. Her career reflects a passion for helping students develop not only as dancers and artists, but also as confident, disciplined, and thoughtful individuals.
In addition to her college teaching, Professor Woodson serves as a Student Success Advisor with Spectrum Dance Center, where she supports students in their artistic development, academic planning, and exploration of professional pathways. She previously served as a senior staff instructor and special assignment faculty member with Dance for Joy Ministries, teaching Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Dance Conditioning, and Worship Dance while encouraging dancers to use their gifts in service to God.
Earlier in her career, Professor Woodson directed the Orange High School Dance Program for ten years. During her tenure, she developed curriculum, directed productions, mentored student leaders, and helped grow the program from approximately 30 to 120 students.
Professional Associations and Affiliations
Professor Woodson's professional involvement reflects her commitment to dance education, artistic leadership, and service. Her affiliations and professional service include:
- Former Vice President of Dance for CAHPERD (California Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance)
- Recipient of the Professional Dance Educator of the Year Award, 2020
- Former board member, Greater Orange County Arts Theatre Foundation (GOCAT)
- Former board member, Dance for Joy Ministries
- Participant, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing CSET Advisory Panel
- Certified in Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT)
- Certified in the Zena Rommett Method (ZRM™) Floor-Barre
- Completed teacher training with Ballet Magnificat
- Student Success Advisor, Spectrum Dance Center
- Faculty member, Rancho Santiago Community College District
- Affiliate Dance Faculty member, Colorado Christian University
Faith and Learning
Professor Woodson believes that faith and learning are deeply connected. She approaches dance as both an academic discipline and a meaningful expression of the creativity with which God has gifted humanity.
In her teaching, she seeks to create an environment where students can pursue excellence while developing character, discipline, creativity, and a deeper understanding of their purpose. She believes that the study of dance history, movement, and artistic expression can help students better understand humanity, culture, communication, and the ways people have expressed their beliefs, values, joys, struggles, and stories throughout history.
Professor Woodson is passionate about helping students recognize that artistic excellence and Christian faith need not exist separately. Instead, she encourages students to approach their education and artistic development with integrity, curiosity, humility, and a desire to use their gifts in ways that honor God and serve others.
She believes movement can inspire worship, foster community, promote lifelong health, and encourage creativity. Her goal is to help students develop a biblical understanding of dance as a gift from God while engaging thoughtfully and respectfully with the diverse cultural and historical contexts in which dance exists.
I believe education and the arts have the power to transform lives. My goal is to challenge students to pursue excellence, think critically, develop their God-given gifts, and discover how their knowledge and creativity can be used to serve others and glorify God.