Francine Ott, a native of New Orleans, received her B.F.A in Dance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has had the opportunity to work with many amazing artists and choreographers---teaching many workshops, classes, and residencies, as well as showcase her choreography. Ms. Ott has been featured in the July 2011 issue of Dance Magazine in the article, “When Words Hurt,” and the February 2011 issue of SHAPE Magazine, in “Confidence Queens.” Francine has received her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling at Nyack College, and was the Interim Administrative Assistant at Nyack College's Manhattan Campus for the Alliance Graduate School of Counseling. She was a dance lecturer and director of Panoramic Dance Project at North Carolina State University. Ms. Ott also has her own company, Francine E. Ott/The Walk, where she is able to integrate the mental health field with the arts, which allows one to further their creativity through a unique therapeutic process---providing a space for growth, change, and transformation in one's life.