DANCE ARTIST ~ EDUCATOR ~ CHOREOGRAPHER
Joanna Meinl began her dance training in 1990 and holds a B.A. in Dance Performance/Choreography & Dance Ethnology. Joanna's passion for dance has taken her on adventures traveling around the world as an instructor, performer, choreographer, competitor and judge. She has won many awards and competitions, but one of her greatest accomplishments is becoming the proud mama of her daughter, Joline. When she’s not dancing she’s crafting (www.mercurial-maker.com), exploring in nature or teaching her preschoolers.
Biography
Joanna Meinl began dancing in 1990 at Ballet Etudes in Miami, FL, training in ballet, jazz and hip-hop. From there she went on to New York University where she studied anthropology and world dance. Upon moving to California, Joanna was introduced to the enthralling art of kathak, North Indian classical dance, and began a 20 year journey studying with world renowned artist, Pandit Chitresh Das. She earned her B.A. in Dance Ethnology with a minor in Performance/Choreography and began her touring career.
As a performing member of the Chitresh Das Dance Company from 1998-2015 Joanna toured both nationally and internationally. She trained as a soloist and presented her first traditional kathak solo in 2005. She is honored to continue her Guruji’s legacy as a kathak artist and educator with the Leela Dance Collective as a senior artist, soloist and co-director of the Leela Youth Dance Company.
Joanna began partner dancing in 2002 training in ballroom, latin and swing dance at Dance Arts Studios in San Rafael, CA, where she became a full time instructor. She co-directed Sangre Latina Dance Company for two years and during that time placed 1st at the Champions Invitational Salsa competition in Palm Springs, CA.
In 2005 Joanna started competing on the national west coast swing circuit and since 2008 dances at the All-Star/Champion level. Joanna has placed top 5 at The Open Swing Dance Championships in All-Star Jack & Jill, Open Strictly, Sophisticated, Pro-Am and Cabaret. In addition she’s competed and placed in Classic and Showcase routine divisions and Switchly Jack & Jill and Strictly. A few of her most memorable competitive achievements include: 1st place in Novice J&J out of about 120 follows at Phoenix 4th of July convention in 2006, winning her first Champions J&J at Bridgetown Swing in 2008, winning the coveted Bishop award for 1st place in All-Star J&J at Swingtime in the Rockies in 2011 and earning her first Opus award for 1st place in Sophisticated Swing at the US Open in 2018.
Joanna has over 20 years of teaching experience and incorporates both her exceptional technical training as well as her practical social dance experience into her dynamic teaching style. She calls the Bay Area, CA home, but travels nationally and internationally, teaching, performing, competing and sharing her love of dance!
Joanna is the current reigning Open Swing Dance Sophisticated Champion having won in 2023 with partner Jake Haning. She teaches weekly West Coast Swing classes, private lessons and monthly workshops at Allegro Ballroom and directs an annual event Swing In the South Bay.
Joanna Meinl began dancing in 1990 at Ballet Etudes in Miami, FL, training in ballet, jazz and hip-hop. From there she went on to New York University where she studied anthropology and world dance. Upon moving to California, Joanna was introduced to the enthralling art of kathak, North Indian classical dance, and began a 20 year journey studying with world renowned artist, Pandit Chitresh Das. She earned her B.A. in Dance Ethnology with a minor in Performance/Choreography and began her touring career.
As a performing member of the Chitresh Das Dance Company from 1998-2015 Joanna toured both nationally and internationally. She trained as a soloist and presented her first traditional kathak solo in 2005. She is honored to continue her Guruji’s legacy as a kathak artist and educator with the Leela Dance Collective as a senior artist, soloist and co-director of the Leela Youth Dance Company.
Joanna began partner dancing in 2002 training in ballroom, latin and swing dance at Dance Arts Studios in San Rafael, CA, where she became a full time instructor. She co-directed Sangre Latina Dance Company for two years and during that time placed 1st at the Champions Invitational Salsa competition in Palm Springs, CA.
In 2005 Joanna started competing on the national west coast swing circuit and since 2008 dances at the All-Star/Champion level. Joanna has placed top 5 at The Open Swing Dance Championships in All-Star Jack & Jill, Open Strictly, Sophisticated, Pro-Am and Cabaret. In addition she’s competed and placed in Classic and Showcase routine divisions and Switchly Jack & Jill and Strictly. A few of her most memorable competitive achievements include: 1st place in Novice J&J out of about 120 follows at Phoenix 4th of July convention in 2006, winning her first Champions J&J at Bridgetown Swing in 2008, winning the coveted Bishop award for 1st place in All-Star J&J at Swingtime in the Rockies in 2011 and earning her first Opus award for 1st place in Sophisticated Swing at the US Open in 2018.
Joanna has over 20 years of teaching experience and incorporates both her exceptional technical training as well as her practical social dance experience into her dynamic teaching style. She calls the Bay Area, CA home, but travels nationally and internationally, teaching, performing, competing and sharing her love of dance!
Joanna is the current reigning Open Swing Dance Sophisticated Champion having won in 2023 with partner Jake Haning. She teaches weekly West Coast Swing classes, private lessons and monthly workshops at Allegro Ballroom and directs an annual event Swing In the South Bay.
