My name is Cherie Johnson, and I was born in Phoenix, Arizona. DANCING: I have always had music and dancing in my blood. My mother was a Dime-A-Dance dancer in the 40's and danced every chance she got. As a child, I would join her in the living room, dancing to whatever music was playing, letting the music speak to my soul and tell my body what to do. When my mom wasn't available as a dance partner, I would hold on to a doorknob and practice the swing. At 12 I even tried to teach my sister, then 8, how to swing so I could have someone to dance with. I began my formal dance career at the age of 8 as a tap dancer and performer in San Bernardino, California. I continued my tap dancing, eventually performing with Gotta Dance in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. In my teen years I was organizing dance events and in 1990 I became involved with both line dancing and country couples dancing. I have choreographed many line dances [go to my Dancing page to find them] that are popular on the Mainland as well as in Hawaii and Canada. I performed with the UpCountry Dancers in Waimea, Hawaii and was one of the originators of the Kona Western Dancers in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I choreographed their line and couples routines and performed with them for six years on the Big Island. I have not limited my dancing to tap and country; I was also a member of the Kona Ballroom Dance Club, and the Florida USADance. I've taught classes and workshops in country couples, line dancing, partner dancing, and ballroom; I have been a member of the National Teachers Association (NTA) since 1993 completing Levels I through V of the Dance Fundamentals for line dance accredidation. I've taken workshops, classes and training in understanding music, lead and follow, motion and body movement, and various dance style workshops. I am DIVIDA Certified in Waltz, and continue to improve my dancing skills. I am also a Certified Judge for the IAGLCWDC and have taught and performed at various dance events such as the Saltwater Hoedown in Norfolk, Atlantic Seashore Dance Festival in Williamsburg, Tidewater Classic in Virginia Beach, the Virginia is for Lovers of Dance in Richmond, and the Country Stomp X in Montreal. I have taught workshops and classes in Waltz, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Night Club Two Step, Two Step, Cha Cha, Rumba, Motion Study and Body Movement, and Lead and Follow. I taught line dancing for several years at the American Legion in Newport News and country couples at Bootlegger's Dance Studio in the Grafton/Yorktown area of Virginia. After I moved to Florida I taught couples dancing [both country and ballroom] at Dance Club Orlando, and taught line dancing for three years at Solivita Retirement Center in Poinciana.  I was also an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando teaching an elective class of line dancing for 3 years. I now reside in Sacramento, California, and although I am not teaching at this time, my passion for teaching dance is still strong.  When I teach, I teach dancing for the social dancer.  I teach a patterned syllabus based on established national published standards. I emphasize patterns as well as lead and follow techniques, and I love to teach beginner line dancing.  I believe that music feeds the soul while dancing feeds the spirit. I am 100% responsible to bring joy and love to the world through music and dance. I believe a desire is an opportunity taping on the door of the consciousness. I dare you to open that door, step through, and feed your soul with music, feed your spirit with dance! TRAVEL:  I began traveling in my early 20's. I went to Hawaii to join my mom, and little did I know I'd begun the adventure of my life.  From Hawaii, I went to Germany, Spain, Italy, Africa, Israel, Egypt, and back to the good old US of A.  I hitchhiked and drove across the states several times on a wing and a prayer daring to try my God out.  I've never been disappointed.  I've learned God is my employer and being all powerful, provides where He guides.  As my husband so lovingly refers to Him - GOMU - God of my understanding. CURRENTLY - Bookkeeper/writer: I not only dance and travel when possible, but I work as a bookkeeper for clients across the country via the internet, and here in Sacramento. I am a recovered alcoholic, and also a published writer with numerous articles and poems in The Science of Mind Magazine, Venture Inward [Association for Research and Enlightenment] and various other magazines. Flobird - A Bird's Eye View is my first book.  I have two others in the works - one is a daily meditation, and one is about my life and recovery. I play guitar, love to travel, ride motorcycles, and I am involved in a variety of other activities. I believe age is an illusion and I live life to the fullest wherever I am.