She began dancing at the age of three and hasn’t missed a beat since then. Christina Patelidas has experienced a brilliant career many only dream about.
Growing up in Coastal Georgia, Christina studied at the Eleanor Brooks School of Dance. After finishing high school at Glynn Academy, she spread her wings and went to sea, joining Norwegian Cruise Lines, providing dance entertainment and instruction for guests. She left Norwegian and went to work with Crystal Cruises whose voyages took her as far as Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Christina found her land legs again and headed for Las Vegas, where she auditioned for the famous Seigfried & Roy spectacular. It only took a week, for Christina to be noticed by Seigfried & Roy and moved forward to lead dancer. She was then promoted to “Illusion” girl. You know the beautiful young woman who lies in a box and is cut into three…..that was Christina She speaks fondly of the five years she spent in Vegas with the show.
When Christina’s grandmother passed away, she felt a pull for home and family and returned to the Golden Isles . Christina opened her own school of dance instruction, Christina’s Dance World, where she taught and mentored children from all over the area. For eleven years she continued her work with children out of her Redfern Village studio. She also worked as an independent contractor at Sea Island teaching ballroom dance and instructing in the spa at The Cloister.
When she realized she needed more in her life, she closed the doors to the school in 2010 and went back to sea as a production manager for six months. Returning to take the position of Entertainment Coordinator at Sea Island, Christina books all social in-house entertainment at the exclusive resort. She has firmly established herself and put roots down that will keep her living in the Golden Isles. When Christina realized how much she gave up to immerse herself in her career, she began to make changes that led to her current happiness.
On August 19th, Christina surprised friends and family by inviting them to an engagement party she and her fiance’, Terry Godwin, were throwing to announce their upcoming wedding. What the guests didn’t know was that the wedding would take place that night! Christina is one of those lively spirits who fills any room with her positive energy and joy. It’s no surprise to me that she pulled off her wedding in such a way, to the delight of everyone attending.
On September 6th, Christina will begin teaching ballroom dance lessons at the Cloister for Sea Island members and their guests. The lessons will be on Friday and Saturday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. in The Spa. She continues teaching cotillion dance, as well as instruction at the private Wesley Academy for children and coaching engaged couples on how to dance that “First Dance” on their big day. This lady never stops, inspiring everyone whose life she touches! Thank you, Christina, for sharing your story with me!
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Melissa |
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09 3rd, 2013 |
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