About Marlaina

Originally from California, Marlaina graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance and minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Growing up with a younger brother who has Type 1 Diabetes and other special needs, Marlaina claimed the role of caretaker early on, in addition to teaching dance to ages 4-12 at a local studio and babysitting through high school and college for families with Type 1 diabetes, epilepsy, silica disease, and other special needs. Working in various capacities at NYU, Marlaina was able to integrate her passion for dance by concentrating in Dance Medicine and Science and exploring dance therapy in conjunction with child development and motor learning. Last summer, Marlaina worked as a private para at Hampton Country Day Camp and has been a babysitter and live-in nanny in the city for the past 3 years. She currently works as a Teacher's Assistant for a kindergarten class at Public School in Gramercy.