Betsy Shuttleworth

Betsy is a flexibility specialist with over 19 years experience in contortion and over 35 years of dance experience working with different athletes from all over the world including dancers, contortionists and cheerleaders. Betsy started Dance Extensions in 1996 as an instructor after her Point Park University education. Immediately Betsy attended and still attends as many workshops and classes to better herself as an instructor/trainer as well as judging performing art competitions. While ballet was her first love, contortion has become one of the main attractions at DEPAC. Betsy travels the United States as well as Internationally teaching proper warm up, strengthening and contortion techniques for the safety of her students. DEPAC makes sure they do charity performances each and every year. These include rest homes and cancer research fundraisers. Betsy combines her creative contortion techniques with her guidance from her ballet background, Ska Von Schoning of Showbiz Productions (Germany) Betsy has also had the pleasure of training with the following Cirque Du Soleil athletes; Alixa Sutton-Choreographer/Trainer for ‘Kooza’ Mark Freeman- "Totem" Gymnast Ginger Ana G- "Mystere" Aerials, Aerial Coach/Choreographer & Photographer Enkhee Tumen- ‘O’ Contortionist Otgo Waller- ‘O’ Contortionist Angelique- ‘O’ Contortionist & Trainer Olga Pikhienko- ‘Varekai’ & ‘Quidam’ Contortion Dima Shine- ‘Zumanity’ Handbalancer Elena Lev- ‘Alegria’, ‘Le Noir’ & ‘Zumanity’ Stuart Mackenzie- 'Kurios', 'Mystere' '45 degrees' & 'Kooza' Straps • Instructor/Co-organizer International Contortion Convention • Las Vegas, Fox TV • Nike & Powerade commercial • Outrageous Acts of Science • Contortionists Unite Magazine • United States Acrobatic Team • British television, on “Oop’s Tv” • America’s Funniest Home Videos • Harlem Globetrotters & Madison Square Gardens • Wonderama TV, NYC • Hannaford Circus & Circus Italia • Washington’s Got Talent Finalists • Washington Symphony • Workshops with Mia Michaels, Bob Rizzo, Alex Wong, Will Thomas • Horror-Con haunted tour • Students Highlighted on “Nat Geo Amazing” • Australian Contortion Festival, Instructor • Little Big Shots USA ,Italy, Mexico, Philippines ,Vietnam & Australia • Gong Show, Siempre Ninos • Published articles on Vertical Wise.