Christine Baltes is considered a master teacher, specializing in jazz dance and recognized as a leader in technique who ‘teaches’. Born in Evanston, IL, Christine studied with Gus Giordano, the grandfather of American Jazz Dance.She’s traveled the U.S. performing on stage, television, industrials and dinner theater before moving to California.

With a teaching career that spans over 35 years, Christine holds a lifetime California Teaching Credential in dance, Pilates and Gyrokinesis® certification and faculty positions that included University of California, Irvine, Chapman University, California State University, Long Beach, Orange Coast College, Irvine Valley College, Long Beach City College, Academy for the Performing Arts High School, and more.

She directs the scholarship program at DeFore Dance Center, owns her own Pilates studio where she privately coaches dancers of all ages as well as the non-dancer. Many of her students are working in the entertainment industry, both nationally and internationally.

Christine has made numerous contributions to the awareness of dance. She was founder/producer of the Choreographers Showcase of O.C., founder/advisor for California Choreographers Dance Festival, writer for the Dance & Fitness West magazine, and board member for Jazz Dance L.A. Presently, she serves as a board member for Jazz Dance World Congress and guest teacher for Giordano Dance Studio and Hubbard Street Dance Company Studio when visiting Chicago.

Her choreography and company, Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, has been presented at several dance festivals in Los Angeles & Orange County. Festivals include Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, Festival of Solos & Duets, Spectrum L.A., Jazz Dance L.A. Jazz Dance World Congress to name a few, as well as numerous self-produced concerts.

This devoted, passionate and energetic professional is bound to make a difference in your body, mind and overall improvement of movement.

Jazz Class with Christine
I care about the students who walk into my classes and I make a commitment to each one. At DeFore’s I offer a class schedule that provides several progressive levels of jazz dance, from beginning, intermediate & advance/professional, where each level offers a stepping-stone into the next. Grab your opportunity to work with this highly motivated, educated and knowledgeable instructor.