Mara Bartels

Hi, I’m Mara Bartels! I’ve been dancing at ROM since 2014 and have had the opportunity to perform in eleven ROM productions. Some of my favorite roles include Shiver in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and Roma Mama in the most recent production of Madeline.

While I enjoy all styles of dance, jazz is my favorite because I love the energy and freedom it brings to each performance.  I especially enjoy being able to express my personality and emotions through movement while challenging myself with new choreography.

One of the things I that I love most about dance is the incredible bonds and friendships you build along the way.  Spending so much time with your classmates creates a sense of family, and dance has always been something I can turn to when I’ve had a difficult day.

Throughout my time at ROM, I’ve also had the opportunity to assist with several classes over the years.  I really enjoy getting to know the younger dancers, helping them learn new skills, and watching their confidence grow.  I am very excited to be joing the ROM Staff this year!