Katie teaches Acrobatics, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Lyrical in the Seton Hill University’s Community Arts Program and she is also an adjunct professor for Seton Hill University teaching undergraduate dance technique classes. Katie has been teaching dance for over 10 years recreationally and competitively. She is the coordinator for Seton Hill University Dance Academy (SHUDA), the Community Arts Assistant and the Head Coach for the Seton Hill University Cheerleading & Dance Teams (Spirit Squad). In addition, Katie is the coordinator and head coach for SHUDA’s Diamonds Competitive Team and is the director for SHUDA’s Holiday Show “The Jazzy Nutcracker”. Katie is a 2012 Seton Hill University graduate with a dual certification in Theatre Design & Technology and Dance Choreography. While attending Seton Hill University Katie was a dance instructor at Westmoreland Gymnastics, Greensburg, PA, and the choreographer for Spirit Elite All-Star Cheer Squad, Latrobe, PA. Katie’s love for dance began at the age of three in Oil City, PA at Entre Chat with the main instructor Flo Frost, a ballerina from France. At the age of six, she began taking lessons at Studio 22 with TaMara Swank where she studied with Swank for seven years and Marc Holland for five. She studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tap and Modern. While at the studio, she was a dance assistant for three years and an instructor during her senior year. Katie danced on the competitive team starting at age six and won many awards for both solo and group competitive numbers. Katie’s mission is to share her knowledge and love of dance with her students in a positive, supportive and encouraging environment. "Dance is the hidden language of the soul." ~Martha Graham

Education

• Bachelor's of Arts in Dance Choreography and Theatre Design & Technology, Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA), 2012

Awards

• ADCC Studio of Excellence -- Breakout Dance Competition 2023 Published in The Competitive Advantage

• Ultimate Emotional Execution Choreography Award - Beyond the Stars 2023

• Ultimate Crowd Pleaser Choreography Award - Beyond the Stars 2023

• Ultimate Entertainment Choreography Award - Beyond the Stars 2023

• Top Choreographer - Encore DCS Competition 2023

• 2023 "Spirit of Encore" Studio of Excellence -- Encore DCS Competition

• Choreography Award - Celebration Talent Competition 2023

• 2023 "Life of the Party" Studio of Excellence -- Celebration Dance Competition

• ADCC Studio of Excellence -- Beyond the Stars 2022 Published in The Competitive Advantage

• 2022 National Champions -- Beyond the Stars Competition, Court House Cape May, NJ

• 2022 "Life of the Party" Studio of Excellence -- Celebration Dance Competition

• 2019 National Champions -- Beyond the Stars Competition, Court House Cape May, NJ

• ADCC Studio of Excellence -- Beyond the Stars 2019 Published in The Competitive Advantage (July 2019)

• Supreme Studio Award -- Nationals 2017 and Regionals 2018

Certifications

• Acrobatic Arts Certified

• Mental Health First Aid USA

• USA Cheer - CrashCourse Concussion Training

• USA Cheer - Safety & Risk Management

• Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Certified

Achievements

• Flash Mob - Westmoreland Walks, Inc: Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer: Twin Lakes, Greensburg, PA, October 2018

• Flash Mob - Child Abuse Prevention Month with Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): Westmoreland Courthouse, Greensburg, PA, April 2018

• "The Polar Express" Choreographer & Director-- Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2018. An original SHUDA production.

• "Letter's From Santa" Choreographer & Director-- Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2017. An original SHUDA production.

• "Grinchmas" Choreographer & Director-- Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2016. An original SHUDA production.

• "What's Your Elf Up To?" Choreographer & Director-- Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2015. An original SHUDA production.

• "Mrs. Claus and Her North Pole Adventures" Choreographer & Director-- Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2014. An original SHUDA production.

• "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" Choreographer & Director-- Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2013. An original SHUDA production.

• "The Drowsy Chaperone" Choreographer-- Barrow Civic Theater, Franklin, PA. Summer of 2013