An Atlanta native, Christen Sewell Weimer embodied a passion for movement at a young age. Before fully actualizing her love of dance, Christen competed both nationally and internationally as a rhythmic gymnast. Transitioning to the art of dance came somewhat organically for her when she enrolled in the school at Atlanta Ballet in 2000. Christen’s pursuit of movement propelled her first to Indiana University’s Ballet program and then to New York, where she studied, choreographed and performed at Barnard College, Columbia University. At Barnard, Christen studied under Mary Cochran, Allegra Kent, Lynn Garafola, Barbara Sandanato, Katie Glasner and Sabrina Pillars, and performed the works of George Balanchine, Ted Thomas and Lew Christensen. Christen graduated magna cum laude from Barnard in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Dance.

Christen has performed professionally with Brooks and Company Dance, as well as with Bodiography Contemporary Ballet. She also occasionally dabbles in commercial work, and in 2001 Christen was featured as a rhythmic gymnast in Outkast’s music video, "Trans DF Express." Christen furthered her studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, from where she received an MFA in Dance Performance in 2011. While at Tisch, Christen studied under the direction of Cherylyn Lavagnino, Phyllis Lamhut, Kay Cummings, James Martin, Patricia Beaman, James Sutton, Lynn Martin, Joy Kellman, Pamela Pietro and Renee Redding-Jones, and had the pleasure of performing the works of Deborah Jowitt, Gus Solomons Jr. and Lucinda Childs.

Christen has worked as a professor in the dance departments at La Roche College, Kennesaw State University and Spelman College, and as an instructor in the schools of Atlanta Ballet, Act One Theatre School, The Joffrey School New York, Goleta Ballet Theatre and Mainstream Dance Inc. Christen’s passion for choreography led her to create works while at Barnard College and Tisch School of the Arts, as well as for the dance departments at La Roche College and Kennesaw State University. Christen has recently created works for Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, Dance Canvas’ summer session and Mainstream Dance Inc.

Christen’s interest in the healing capacity of movement manifests not only in her love for dance, but also in her love for yoga. Christen was certified to teach yoga at the 200-hour level through The Perri Institute for Mind and Body and is currently licensed to teach the MBD® (Mind Body Dancer)

yoga curriculum (www.perriinstitute.com).

Currently, Christen serves on faculty in the Drama and Dance department at Spelman College, creates and teaches new movement to avid dancers, and periodically reviews the Atlanta dance scene for DIY Dancer. Christen would like to thank her family, friends, mentors and students, who continually inspire her.