Dance Teacher
At PS 8 since 2005
“Putting up a show teaches a lot about life: you focus, you learn teamwork, and by rehearsing and working hard, you finally present a perfect result, which you get praised for.” Mrs. Slivinski sums up the educational value of dance in a nutshell, adding, “The applause builds self-confidence.”
Mrs. Slivinski/Mrs. S/Mrs. D. (Mrs. D is an abbreviated maiden name; the kids just never got used to Slivinski) – whatever she is called – is a real talent, and the kids LOVE her. But her talents extend far beyond PS 8. Mrs. D is currently a lead vocalist and choreographer for United We Sing, a vocal trio that grew out of a three-year run touring with the USO of Metropolitan New York. With United We Sing she has performed at Carnegie Hall, recorded with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love, and most recently performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC. She also hosted Neighborhood Journal, a television show about Brooklyn and the Bronx in addition to appearing in a number of other stage and television projects. Mrs. D continues to audition and perform. “I love all of that, so why not?” she says with a smile.
Mrs. Slivinski was born in Brooklyn and is a product of the public school system attending Mark Twain Junior High School (dance talent) and Stuyvesant High School. At Stuyvesant, she was strongly involved in what she refers to as the “artsy subjects,” ranging from the school orchestra to cheerleading. At Boston College she continued her involvement with the arts in the BC Dance Ensemble, Dance Team and University Chorale. With the Chorale she worked with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops and composer John Williams, and had the honor of performing twice for Pope John Paul II.
After earning a degree in Communications, she turned to advertising for a few years, only to realize that she was working too much for too little money and missing out on what she really enjoyed the most: singing and dancing. So her mother, a teacher, encouraged her to start teaching dance part-time. Starting in 2003, she taught dance and physical education at MS 447, District 15’s Math and Science Exploratory School. Olivia Ellis, PS 8’s former assistant principal, saw one of her middle school shows and begged her to join PS 8. Mrs. Slivinski also coaches the PS 8 Cheerleading team and choreographed the school play for four years. She now has a dual master’s degree in education and special education.
Mrs. D. loves teaching elementary school and enjoys the enthusiastic kids – while reveling in the fact that she still has time and energy for her showbiz life.
