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 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.
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 in Florida, Claudine performed as a soloist with the South Broward Ballet
Company in various performances including Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Peter & the Wolf,
Sleeping Beauty, and the principal role in Cinderella. After which, Claudine performed with
and was the Assistant Artistic Director of Jubilee Dance Theatre (a South Florida based
company). Claudine has also made several guest artist appearances with various local dance
companies and organizations. Claudine currently serves on the Board of Directors for the
Developing Dreams Foundation and is a member of the International Association of Blacks
in Dance. She is certified member in “Performing Arts (Ballet)” with Dance Educators of
America and has been trained and assessed in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), attaining
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 25 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 an alternative career and yet still maintain your passion for the arts.