DANCER, INSTRUCTOR, 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 travels around the world teaching and performing. She has won many awards and competitions, but her greatest accomplishment is becoming the proud mama of her beautiful baby girl, Joline.
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 Performance/Choreography & Dance Ethnology and decided to forego graduate school to pursue a touring opportunity.
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 dancer and educator at the Chhandam School of Kathak and with the Leela Dance Collective.
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
US Open Swing Dance Championships in All-Star Jack & Jill, Open Strictly Swing, Sophisticated Swing and Cabaret. 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 most recently, 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!
In 2013 Joanna took a break from performing and competing to create a family. While absolutely in love with her baby girl, she was excited to get back to dance. In 2015 she began partnering with long time friend and fellow Bay Area professional, Edwin Li. They have enjoyed getting back on the competition floor together in the Classic Division of West Coast Swing as well as teaching and performing locally and nationally.
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 Performance/Choreography & Dance Ethnology and decided to forego graduate school to pursue a touring opportunity.
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 dancer and educator at the Chhandam School of Kathak and with the Leela Dance Collective.
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
US Open Swing Dance Championships in All-Star Jack & Jill, Open Strictly Swing, Sophisticated Swing and Cabaret. 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 most recently, 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!
In 2013 Joanna took a break from performing and competing to create a family. While absolutely in love with her baby girl, she was excited to get back to dance. In 2015 she began partnering with long time friend and fellow Bay Area professional, Edwin Li. They have enjoyed getting back on the competition floor together in the Classic Division of West Coast Swing as well as teaching and performing locally and nationally.
