Claudine Carter Pereira began dancing at the age of three, in Freeport, Bahamas, where she was born and raised, acquiring a strong foundation and love for dance. From the age of nine through most of her teen years, she studied extensively with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City in their Trainee Program. Claudine put her dance career on the “back-burner” to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Loyola College in Maryland and later a Master of Science Degree in Forensic Science from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Despite her change in career path, she continued dancing throughout graduate school at both Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond Ballet. She has taught Ballet, Modern (Horton Technique), Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Jazz and Tap to various age groups ranging from ages three to adult in the Bahamas, Brazil, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia.
While in the Bahamas, Claudine was awarded 1st Place in the National Arts Festival in the area of Dance. She also participated in the NAACP’s ACTSO Competitions – in the Dance Category, where she was awarded 1stPlace in the Florida Regional and State Competitions and received an Honorable mention in the National Competition.
Claudine has performed as a dancer and ensemble singer in various musical theater productions including South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate and Anything Goes.
During her time here in Florida, Claudine performed as a soloist with the South Broward Ballet Company (in Hollywood) in various performances including Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Peter & the Wolf, Sleeping Beauty, and the principal role in Cinderella. From February of 2003 – October 2009, Claudine performed with and was the Assistant Artistic Director of Jubilee Dance Theatre (a South Florida based company). Claudine has made several guest artist appearances with various local dance companies and organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Developing Dreams Foundation (formerly the Pablo Malco Foundation). Claudine is a member of the International Association of Blacks in Dance. Additionally, she is certified member in “Performing Arts (Ballet)” with Dance Educators of America. Claudine has been trained and assessed in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and has attained Level 3 Certification. She completed the two-week Horton Pedagogy program at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre under the instruction of Ana Marie Forsythe and annually attended the Finis Jhung Ballet Teacher’s Workshop. Most recently, Claudine attained Simonson Method of Teacher Training Certification (Beginner Level) under the instruction of Teresa Perez Ceccon.
Claudine, also known as the “Forensic Ballerina,” is currently the Director of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Laboratory – where she has worked for over 20 years. Despite her change in career path, she attributes many of her successes in life to lessons learned in ballet class. She shares this concept through her passion for the art of dance and has mentored many young dancers who have come to realize that you can have the best of both worlds; pursue a career and yet still maintain your passion for the arts.