Barnes has just got to dance

McMinnville Parks and Recreation will be losing its activities programmer. Jen Barnes will be leaving the small-town life of McMinnville for the fast-paced living of Nashville.

Almost one year ago, Barnes followed her heart to McMinnville because becoming the city’s activities programmer gave her the chance to dance, something she missed doing as a licensed realtor in Nashville. While working at the Civic Center, she was able to teach a hip hop class at her mother’s studio, Paula’s Dance Academy.

Barnes began dancing at age 8. While attending Warren County High School she became a Pioneerette. She went on to attend the University of Memphis and cheered for the Memphis Redbirds. She graduated in 2002.

Following her love for dance, Barnes danced professionally for the NBA and NFL ‘ two years for the Memphis Grizzlies and one year for the Tennessee Titans.

Although she has been thinking about it for some time, the decision was finally made last month to once again follow her love of dance.

‘It was a hard decision,’ said Barnes. ‘I would go back and forth between leaving and staying. I had something thrown my way, so I decided to take the opportunity.’

Drawing Barnes away from McMinnville is the opportunity to become the dance director of the Nashville Predators Dancers. Although the job was offered to Barnes in the past, she refused until now.

‘I’ve always been a dancer but I’ve never coached a team,’ said Barnes. ‘I’ve decided to just go for it. I’m nervous about it. It’s going to be a hard transition but I feel in my heart this is what I should do.’

According to Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown, Barnes did a quality job.

‘We are going to miss Jen,’ said Brown. ‘She brought a lot of talent to this department and back to the community. We will miss that. I just hope, in the year she spent with us, we gave her something she will be able to take with her.’

Her last day as part of the city’s Parks and Recreation team is Friday.