Rachel Hopkins
Faculty/Choreographer: Contemporary/Musical Theatre/Strength Training/and More
Rachael Hopkins Rockwell is a Central Florida native, who grew up dancing and competing in the competition and convention circuit. She trained extensively in all styles, but found a particular affinity for contemporary and musical theatre. Upon graduating high school, she attended The Florida State University, where she became captain of the Golden Girls Dance Team.
When her collegiate experience came to a close, she moved to North Hollywood, California to pursue a professional dance career. Once she got out west, she gained representation by Go 2 Talent Agency, and starting creating the dance life that she always dreamed about. She became an inaugural company member of contemporary company, Royal Flux Dance, (under the choreography and direction of Jaci Royal), where she performed as a featured dancer in both shows ‘Shining’ and ‘Shining On.’ She also was a member of Entity Contemporary Dance (under the choreography and direction of Marissa Osato and Will Johnston).
She’s danced in many independent works of contemporary creative Andrew Winghart, as well as being featured in his show “Out of Darkness.” Rachael has danced in music videos and industrial commercials, as well as in a variety of off-broadway productions. She’s assisted various choreographers at “The Collective,” and has trained heavily under choreographers like Mandy Moore, Ray Leeper, Sonya Tayeh, and Chris Jacobsen- to name a few. She’s choreographed for a wide range of premier and fashion
shows. Most notably, Rachael choreographed the opening number for LA Fashion Week, under the direction of designer Ina Soltani.
Shortly before getting married and starting a family in 2015, she began to dive deeper into her identity as a choreographer and dance educator. While she always found a “studio home” to teach at wherever she was located, she was particularly humbled to become an instructor/educator for “The Dance Sessions,” founded by Sonya Tayeh and Chris Jacobsen; uniting dancers from all over the country in a beautifully inviting and welcoming summer dance retreat. She also began heavily traveling the country teaching and setting work on studios and dance teams, and found such joy in creating an extended dance family-which she still does today. She has gained quite the reputation for her comedic, large scale musical theatre pieces…as well as her emotionally charged and athletically driven contemporary work. Rachael moved to the PNW in 2021, with her husband and two sons, Sage and Birch, where they enjoy all things outdoors.
Rachael is extremely passionate about fusing great technique, genuine storytelling, athletic movement, and intricate musicality….all into one FUN and inspiring package. Her mission is to always have dancers leaving class having tried something they never have before, and feeling inspired to work even harder for the next time. She’s very excited to continue to share her love for dance for the first time with students here in Washington!
