Teaching Artist and Costume Designer
Susan Paino has been a dance arts educator since 1982, specializing in children’s dance classes and creative arts events for families.
She believes that participation in developmentally appropriate dance activities can help children grow physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Not only do children build skills, but they also discover the art of dance and movement through self-expression, imagination, exploration, and story-telling.
Susan’s interest and flair for costume design is rooted in her early dance studies with the founder of Boston Ballet, E. Virginia Williams. At Williams’ home studio, Susan recalls being surrounded by talented seamstresses who hand-built tutus and tiaras – dancing in the studios downstairs and watching the costume-making upstairs.
As a designer, Susan enjoys creating imaginative fashions for dance and theatre – especially with finding ways to use recycled and up-cycled clothing, fabric, and other materials.
