Cassandra K. Thomas

Cassandra Stewart-Thomas is a gerontologist, researcher, dancer, model, and adjunct professor within the Somatic Movement Education Program at Austin Community College. Born and raised in Austin, she started dancing from a young age and was a member of several competitive dance companies and pre-professional companies. She graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Concentration, where she studied under the Texas A&M University Dance Program. Cassandra later graduated with honors from the University of Southern California with a Master of Arts in Gerontology. During her studies, she had the opportunity to study in Germany and Italy, where she immersed herself into the cultural dances of the regions.

Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, Cassandra started DanceGero, a program that brings dance into nursing homes and retirement communities. She has worked with hundreds of clients with numerous diseases and illnesses who have benefitted from methods in dance. In addition, Cassandra created DanceStyle, a dance program designed to teach adults basics in various dance genres. Her passion for dance has led her to teach and choreograph at local high schools, studios, the Texas A&M University Dance Program, and the University of Central Missouri Dance Program.

Over the past several years, Cassandra has had the privilege of studying under many influential dancers, choreographers, and companies, such as Joffrey Ballet, Kameron Bink, Ragamala Dance Company, Lindsey White, Andy Vaca, Karen Clippinger, Jane Weiner, Jesse Zaritt, Koresh Dance Company, Jacqui Green Haas, Ballet Austin, Diavolo Dance Theater, and many others.

Cassandra's love for learning and research has led her to conduct and assist in research involving dancer health and wellness. Her academic research has been presented in various locations such as College Station, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Hong Kong. She is currently researching the implications of dance and movement within dementia patients.

Cassandra is a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, The Gerontological Society of America, and Southeastern Psychological Association.