Sonya Charette-Bodo

Sonya Charette-Bodo began her dance journey at the young age of 2 years old. She has been sharing her passion for performing arts and fitness and mentorship with her students for over 25 years. She was the co - founder of Fort Kent Warriors high school Dance Corps which later became a Dance Team serving as co- captain and later becoming the captain, then the coach for 13 years. 

She taught and ran a dance program for the Fort Kent Recreation Department for about 6.5 years, as well as served as dance and gymnastics program developer and teacher for both the St. Francis and Eagle Lake, Maine, Recreation Departments where she was the Eagle Lake Recreation Department Director. Sonya taught gymnastics at a public elementary school, Ecole Earnest Lang for 2 years in St. Francois, N.B. Canada.  She founded and owned JIU (Jazz It Up) Performing Arts & Fitness studio for 14.5 years in Fort Kent, Maine, teaching ages 18 months through older active adults, recreational levels as well as competitive. After Moving to Buffalo New York, Sonya continued teaching and setting choreography for many different ages and levels of dancers in a variety of different genres. She taught at different organizations, schools (both private and public) studios, and gymnastics centers throughout Canada, New England, and Western New York. She was the dance specialist at YMCA on Delaware Avenue as well as the dance specialist for the summer theatre camp at Tapestry Charter school in Buffalo New York. She also launched SCB Moves in 2018 where she traveled and taught adaptive dance to people with individual learning differences and special needs. Sonya founded Heights Acrodance and aerial arts summer camp. In 2019 she opened The Acro Academy of Western New York. Ever since the pandemic began, she pivoted to teaching acrodance virtually as well as critiquing and cleaning competition dance pieces virtually. 

Sonya has many years of experience in choreography and was involved with projects internationally. Some as low key as local fundraisers and community events to choreography projects that were televised during The International Biathlon Union World Cup and where she was working side by side with the European producers and camera crews as well as performing during those IBU World Cup Events in 2004 and again in 2011.Sonya has received many awards for her choreography globally throughout the years and has experience as a dance adjudicator mostly during dance festivals.  

Sonya specializes in Acrodance  and is a certified Acrobatic Arts teacher in both module 1 & 2, she is also a certified Acro Dance Adjudicator and founding member through the ADTA Acro Dance Teachers Association, certified  Rhythm Works Integrative dance teacher, Certified in Concussion Awareness and Prevention Through the North American Learning Institute, Certified in CPR, AED, First Aid through the National CPR Foundation. Sonya who is a lifelong learner continues to attend seminars, webinars, conventions, and take courses  including , Acrobatic arts Volta teacher training in Ontario , Canada,  Introduction to dancing with Parkinson’s Canada and earned a certificate at Toronto Dance Teacher Expo , is a  current member of the  My Vault by : Acro Dance Teachers Association ADTA  , most recently completed Youth Advocates in Dance courses in Potential harms of hypermobility and tricks , Bullying and conflict resolution , and sexual abuse awareness and prevention.

Throughout her career she has been both a travel guest teacher and guest coach as well as an independent contractor, she also has mentored many teachers and studio owners as well as creates customized curriculum.

Sonya is currently an Independent contractor at Maine Dance Center in Windham , Maine as a teacher / choreographer.

Sonya uses the positive growth mindset method when aiding people to achieve their goals . She believes that if you love what you do , you don’t have to work a day in your life .