Testimonials
“Tara’s movement can be described as fierce physicality deepened by emotional investment. Having known her for the past 6 years as a student, friend and colleague I have watched her continuously grow and challenge herself. What is unique about Tara is how she has continuously stayed true to herself, as well as the ways she empowers her dancers both in body and spirit. What she has to offer choreographically is a raw talent that is truly special and is what made her become one of the most sought after choreographers in Orange County.”
Charissa Kroeger, Professional Dancer (LORDE)
“Meeting Tara a few years ago was life-changing for me. Watching her Newport Harbor "Arreis Dance Show" altered my perspective of dance programs and my own career. The dancers, crew, teachers, and choreographers she directs all integrated their abilities in inspiring ways and this all came from Tara. She has guided me in developing my own program through the years and her innovative and emotional choreography has been a revelation for many. Tara's giving spirit led her to volunteer her time and talents to gifting choreography to my students. I look forward to watching her work with professionals in the industry...she is THAT good.”
Risa Anderson, director of dance at the school of arts and enterprise in pOmona California, professional choreographer
“I am a professional dancer and have taught for over 12 years and can confidently say that Tara is the most talented, innovative, and expressive choreographer I have worked with. When I began watching her choreography 9 years ago, the question that kept popping into my head was, “how do you get your dancers to move like that?” Upon getting to work with her, I now know this is based not just on her technical and artistic talent, but by coaching every dancer she works with based on love and respect. She has an innate ability to push dancers of all levels out of their comfort zones so they can dance to their full potential. You know her dancers when you see them, and in a high school program they are dancing at an industry level. As a colleague, she is always professional, runs on time, is extremely detailed oriented and is humble. She is versatile in her style and has her own unique voice as an artist. She is an inspiration and I greatly admire her work.”
Jamie Tanzer, Director of Arreis Newport Harbor Dance Program, former professional dancer
“My four years being trained by Tara was unlike any other dance experience I have had in the fifteen years I have been dancing at the competitive level. Tara pushed me past my limits and made me grow into a powerhouse. She is devoted to her students and her talents are beyond any teacher I've ever had. Her style is diverse, edgy, gut wrenching, innovative and memorable. The way she choreographs is raw and emotional, and she makes sure it’s constantly evolving and current. Her choreography stands out because she pushes for execution and makes the unexpected happen. Her dancers stand out because she doesn't settle for mediocrity. If it wasn't for Tara I would not be the strong and detail oriented dancer I am now. I still dance to this day, but am always craving her choreography and coaching. Nothing and no one comes close to Tara; she's truly the best."
Reo Nathan, former student, professional choreographer and collegiate dancer
“Tara is hands down the most passionate person I have ever met. She is wholeheartedly dedicated to the physical and mental transformations of her dancers and getting each one to understand that there is always more. She instills in her dancers a necessity to break their own record every time they dance. The training I have received under Tara is something I have never seen replicated elsewhere. She has coached me to a place I never imagined I would reach. Prior to her training I was unaware of my muscles and their capabilites, the strength of my mind and its capacity to alter my state of being and how dependent my physical state is on my mindset. I was unaware of who I was as an artist and Tara saw it as her job to show me just that. She trains dancers to be fighters and turns something average into something supernatural. Every decision she makes is intentional and I trust each one with my whole being. I came to her loving dance and now I need dance. Her passion is contagious and her dedication is unmatched. Tara has taught me how to go all in even when every part of your being is fighting against you, how to mentally overcome any preconceived notion, and how to be set free by my art.”
Carly Sharp, Former Student, UCLA Dance major
“When I came to Tara Olson, I expected to become a better dancer, she has always had a reputation of breeding change, but I had no way of knowing that she would train me to be so much more than a concept as simple as that. Tara has infused an approach to dancing that requires every part of my mind, body, and soul. She has stopped at nothing to push me to fight for every twitch of muscle and uprooted a type of humanity that is only found in the deepest fibers of being. In the time that I've had the privilege of working with her, Tara has never ceased to give everything she has to create a new movement in me. She has been my coach in dance, teacher in choreography, and mentor in life. Because of my journey with her, I am prepared to venture out into the dance industry to begin a career as someone who has been taught how to be the hardest worker and kindest person in every situation. Tara has taught me what it means to be resilient in times of adversity, kept me missile locked on a purpose outside of myself, and proven time and time again that there is always more to be pursued for the dancer and person I am. I don't think anyone expects, or even thinks it is possible, to be impacted in the way that Tara Olson changed me, but I consider myself to be the most fortunate individual because of it.”