Rebecca Russell Will Keep You On Your Toes

Rebecca Russell has built one of Salem’s most versatile dance footprints. At Tippy Toe Dance Studio, she teaches and performs styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop to aerial, and she’s become a familiar creative force in our local schools and theaters.

Rebecca’s Salem roots run deep. Her grandfather’s family immigrated from Switzerland and settled in the NE neighborhood. She grew up in a creative environment: “our household had no TV but piano lessons, orchestra, band, and even a darkroom where imagination and curiosity were encouraged.”

Rebecca began ballet at the YMCA, where she was inspired by the discipline of her first teacher, Widad Farran. Her love for performance was also sparked by a childhood fascination with Saturday Night Fever and The Lawrence Welk Show. Dance has since become integral to Rebecca throughout her life. Mentors at Children’s Educational Theatre and the arts-integrated Howard Street Charter School helped her see creativity not as a box to fit into, but a starting point for possibility. “Theater, music, and dance became my outlets through the challenges of growing up, giving me a place to express myself and explore who I was.”

In 2009, Rebecca launched Tippy Toe Dance Studio in a small backyard space; by 2013, it had grown into a downtown home. Since then, her vision has expanded to include Empowerment Pole & Fitness, aerial collaborations, and the adult performance group eXs. She’s also helping build the Young Voyagers Montessori School of Arts, bringing creativity and self-expression into young students’ lives every day.

Let’s stop and tiptoe behind the curtain to see what sparks creativity in this Salem teacher and performer.

What is your favorite thing about Salem?
Salem’s like a Magic Eye Picture, when you look closer and you start noticing historic buildings, parks, river wildlife, and all the cool little details. I love the birds of prey here; they’re everywhere!

What is your favorite thing to do in Salem?
I love walking around Salem and exploring the parks, wandering downtown, or checking out the historic cemeteries. The library is another favorite spot of mine, too.

Favorite style of dance to perform?
I love styles that let me become a character, musical theater for the personas, and sensual floor work for the strength and confidence.

Favorite style of dance to watch?
Definitely Golden Age musical theater, think White Christmas.

Who has influenced you the most in life, and how?
So many people have shaped me: my parents, my grandpa, who called me his little dumb nut; my teacher, Mr. Browoski; and my favorite directors, Kasey and the late Ed Roberts. All of these people let me fully show up as myself and cheered me on to follow my ideas and curiosities. But if I had to pick just one person, it would be my daughter, Rylee. She grew inside me while I performed and developed as an artist. The moment I laid eyes on her, my life was forever changed. As a single mom at the time, we went through it all together. She grew up at the studio and alongside artists; her first words, first steps, everything there with me. She’s beautifully complex, and our journey together completely changed my life and what I thought it was about.

What are small things that make your day better?
Dollhousing, playing piano, chocolate, Popeyes

Where is your favorite place to travel?
My family and I spend so much time at the coast. This last summer, I discovered Ferndale, California, and completely fell in love.

What is the last show you binge-watched?
I don’t really watch TV, except when people are eating. But when I do, I stick with a series until I’ve finished it. Some I’ve gone all the way through include Great British Baking Show, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Bleach, and Antiques Roadshow.

What one song is on all or most of your playlists?
Ænema by Tool and I Keep Forgettin’ by Michael McDonald

Favorite dancer to watch?
Danny Kaye, Mikhail Baryshnikov

What was your last great read?
I’m a nonfiction gal. Petticoat Pioneers: North Island Women of the Colonial Era, By Mariam Macgregor. Or any children’s books. My youngest daughter, Jolene, is an incredible reader with a huge imagination! She is a regular reader to the dogs on Saturdays at the Library.

Something on your ‘bucket list.’
To feed a hawk or an eagle. Becoming a falconer sounds amazing, but unfortunately, it seems to take a long time.

Winter or Summer?
Summer

Movies or Books?
Books

Pizza or Tacos?
Tacos, I think

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 26 (Winter 2025/26)

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Author: Tracy Torres

Tracy Torres has a penchant for funky shoes and fun music. She loves all of the activities Salem has to offer, and can often be found lurking (working) behind the scenes to make things happen.