Twilla Mann – Founder & Director, American Rhythm Folk Ensemble (Provo, Utah) Twilla’s love for dance began at the tender age of five. She has since trained across a wide range of styles, including jazz, tap, ballet, American clogging, ballroom, and Scottish highland dance. Her credentials include certified teacher and judge training through respected institutions like the National Clogging and Hoedown Championships and the America On Stage director workshops. Twilla accrued many awards in the Western U.S. for clogging, ballroom, and Scottish highland dance. She notably earned the prestigious title of “Most Promising Dancer” in highland dancing. During her college years, she focused on ballroom dance, winning competitions including at the U.S. Nationals in San Diego and the distinguished British Championships in Blackpool, England. Twilla’s performance resume is impressive: she’s appeared before President George Bush and LDS Church President Ezra Taft Benson, along with performances in Hawaii, New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Disneyland, and at numerous folk festivals across France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Portugal, and Austria. With over 30 years of teaching and choreography experience, Twilla founded the American Rhythm Folk Ensemble in 2000, based in Provo, Utah. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Twilla is also a proud mother and grandmother. Under Twilla’s leadership, American Rhythm is a group of talented young dancers, singers, and musicians dedicated to sharing the cultural heritage of the United States through music and dance. The ensemble is recognized internationally, touring extensively across the U.S. and around the world. They teach workshops, perform for diverse audiences, and represent the U.S. at folk festivals. Performing at the CIOFF International Music and Dance Festival in Rexburg, Idaho (2011). International tours to France, Spain (2012), Poland, Canada, Mexico, Czech Republic, Germany, Peru, Denmark, Sweden, and more. Recent European tours, such as to Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, and Italy in 2024.