Rachel Lidskog-LiM
Rachel Lidskog-Lim is the owner of “Dance With Joy,” which perfectly describes her warm and genuine teaching style that encourages people of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of dance.
A professional dancer, singer, and choreographer, Rachel has been teaching dance as a certified dance professional since 1989. A two-times Bronze medalist, 1992 USA Nationals and 2005 Worlds Championships, Rachel has been fortunate to travel professionally for her work to destinations across the US, and around the world, including Argentina, Canada, Cuba, France, Spain, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Eastern & Western Caribbean.
Known for her joy shared with her students while teaching, Rachel’s dance knowledge includes a broad repertoire of styles, from the competitive level to the social dance level. Teaching all the American and International Style Ballroom dances, (Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, ChaCha, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Jive, Samba, Paso Doble, Bolero and Mambo) as well as social and street partner dance styles (Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Country 2-step, Night Club 2-step, Salsa, Cuban Casino Rueda, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, Lindy Hop Swing, Charleston, Balboa, Rotary Waltz & Cross-step Waltz), Folk dance (Scandinavian, Mexican, Argentinian) and several popular Line dances.
Rachel is a perpetual student and continues to grow her knowledge whenever she has the opportunity to learn. She offers weekly classes at several locations in Portland & Vancouver and is the owner of her own dance studio, Dance with Joy Studios LLC, an Art & Activity Wellness Center, www.dancewithjoystudios.com. In addition to her two studio locations, Rachel also teaches at Portland State University, Portland Community College, Lewis & Clark College, the Laurelhust Club, Paradise Dance Studio, the Sesame Club, and several K-12 schools.
She is a yogini, with a strong dance performance background including training in classical ballet, tap, jazz, modern, gymnastics, musical theatre, Polynesian, Irish, and Flamenco. Rachel’s Musical Theatre Performance credits include the leading and supporting roles of “Nellie” in South Pacific, “Dorothy” in The Wizard of Oz, “The Ghost of Christmas Past” in Scrooge, “Stupefying Jones” in Lil’ Abner and “Old Devil Moon” in “On With the Show,” as well as a principal dancer and chorus singer in Evita (Argentine Tango), Oklahoma, South Pacific, Annie Get Your Gun, and Cabaret.
Rachel’s choreography credits include numerous student and professional showcase routines, local performance groups, local Dance with the Stars celebrity fundraiser routines, Newberg High School’s Show Choir, Newberg High School’s musical production of Guys and Dolls, a community theater production of Haddasah, Forest Grove High School’s production of Brigadoon, Vancouver School of Arts production of Guys and Dolls, and an Argentine tango celebrity actors, Jerri Ryan & Roberto Sanchez, in the television show Leverage. Rachel and five of her Portland State University tango students also performed tango in this same television episode.