Tasha Patterson Shirley was born in Canada in 1968. Tasha was a professional dancer and trained in many styles of dance. Tasha gained the benefits of hard work, discipline, and focus from her mother Tena who still dances at 79 years of age. Tasha travelled the world as a dancer and choreographer. As a natural born philosopher and artist she longed from a young age to create, study, and teach. Tasha attended Joe Tremaine in Los Angeles, Sivananda Institute in Quebec, Vedic School of Fine Arts in Puri in India, Paramhansa Yogananda at the Self Realization Center in India, Simonson Technique in New York, Vini Yoga with Gary Kraftsow, along with many workshops and classes worldwide. Teaching dance and yoga in Japan, Tasha's students became her greatest teachers. Realizing each individual has personal needs, and that dance is more than technique, her teachings always try to assist the individual to find self-acceptance to embrace each person’s unique artistry. From Bhutto dance to exploratory healing dance, Tasha has always journeyed to find deeper meanings, in her life and her artistic work.. 

Tasha became Pregnant and was gifted with a baby girl in 2005. Any mother will tell you that the blessings, experiences, and teachings of being a mother have life changes gifts. At that time Tasha moved to Martin County discovering the gift of community. Tasha’s dance students have graced the stages of the Treasure Coast for over the past 17 years. She had a small yoga studio for ten years, where Wings would do their rehearsals and was where her integrated dance company was officially born, "Wings to Fly Dance Company."  Tasha spent 12 years with South Florida Dance where she was an integral part in bringing the story a Christmas Carol to the stage at the Lyric theatre. Through her own physical and health challenges, Tasha began to study more modalities to keep longevity in a dancers career, and to serve humanity. Most recently was certified in Progressive Ballet Technique, and in Sound Therapy. Tasha continues to be a student and is ‘Grateful’ for the opportunity to share her studies to be able to serve others.





Tara Patterson was employed by Martin Memorial/Cleveland Clinic Hospital for over 18 years as a Physical Therapy Assistant. She was featured in Martin Health System’s 2016 Annual Report and recognized as “Associate of the Year” for 2017 for her exemplary care of her patients. She earned her Advanced Proficiency of Neuromuscular Therapy certification from the American Physical Therapy Association and has also earned certificates in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Watsu Aquatic Therapy, and Myofascial Release. She was the Assistant Supervisor for individuals with disabilities at the ARC of St. Lucie County for over 10 years. Her professional background as a dancer included working with Princess Cruises, performing with Diana Ross, C & C Music Factory and Cyndi Lauper. Her extensive therapy experience and working with individuals with disabilities gives her an exceptional outlook on how to facilitate experiences beyond what is possible. Tara has a sincere appreciation for creativity and exploration of music and movement and shares that love with all her students. She has had the pleasure of teaching at South Florida Dance Company, Dance Academy of Stuart, Ballet Florida, and Palm Beach Ballet Company. She is currently dancing and choreographing with Wings to Fly Dance Company integrating dancers with and without disabilities. She is now working independently, sharing her therapy skills in myofascial release, physical therapy, body alignment for dancers and has recently been trained to teach a special Ballet Progressive Technique. She developed the harness that enables one dancer to support another in a moving performance unlike any other!

 Tena has been dancing since she was 4 years of age. At age 14 , she moved to Toronto to find better training at which time she trained with a well-known dancer and teacher Gladys Forrester. She also studied with the National Ballet Company on weekends ends. Later she moved to Vancouver where she was asked to dance with The Pacific Ballet Company directed by Norbert Vesak and Joy Camden of the Royal Ballet in England. She also worked professionally in T.V and stage dancing in numerous Broadway shows.

Now 79, despite back surgery and a long respiratory illness, she continues to dance and perform. After 22 years of working with the Arc of St. Lucie and creating the Arc’s Performing and Visual Arts Program, she, along with her daughters Tasha and Tara, created Wings to Fly Dance Company, a non-profit organization that works with both able and disabled dancers. She is also a massage and aquatic therapist specializing in myofascial release, Watsu, and cranial sacral work. Even now, her daughters refer to her as the “energizer bunny”! She admits that aging is difficult, from limiting physical abilities to coping with changing physical appearance, from smooth & firm to wrinkled and sagging skin. The “Golden Years” just mean we have to work harder, find solutions, stay positive and make every day as fulfilling as possible.