Vanessa’s journey in movement began at the age of 3 with dance, sparking a lifelong passion that evolved through high school, where she discovered her love for modern dance and fitness. During college, she had the incredible opportunity to study and perform at the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy in China, followed by training at the London Contemporary Dance School at The Place in England. Her extensive performance experience includes working with renowned contemporary choreographers, which led her to New York City with the dream of pursuing a professional dance career.

In 2002, Vanessa joined the Dodge Dance Company as a founding member and soloist. Her professional work also includes collaborations with internationally acclaimed dance photographer Lois Greenfield, who featured Vanessa in her 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2014 calendars.

Vanessa holds a BA in Dance from Connecticut College ('99) and an MFA in Dance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts ('02).

Vanessa is a certified ACTION CPT, a Pilates Mat and Standing Pilates instructor through the PhysicalMind Institute, and holds certifications in CPR with AED from the Red Cross and American Heart Association. As a qualified TRX professional and Spartan SGX Coach (Obstacle Specialist), Vanessa brings diverse expertise to her work. In 2022, she became a Level 1 nutrition coach through Precision Nutrition, and has since added certifications as a Girls Gone Strong Women's Coaching Specialist and in Precision Nutrition's Sleep and Stress Recovery Coaching. Vanessa continues to expand her knowledge with ongoing professional development and continuing education.