Katie began her dance career at the age of four in New England (thanks to MTV). As a youth she competed in jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater, and hip-hop in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. In middle school, Katie moved to the PNW and received scholarships to perform in Las Vegas and LA with world-renowned choreographers Mandy Moore & Brian Friedman. She continued competing in high school and practiced at Westlake Dance Center. It was a juggle, but Katie was also a high school varsity athlete on track, cross-country and soccer and was a founding member of the Kontagious Movement Hip-Hop Company. Katie found a love and passion for teaching dance and movement at the age of sixteen at Dance Elite and PAC West Performing Arts, where she created acro and pom dance programs and curriculums.
Katie studied Dance and Education at the University of Washington and was co-captain of the UW Dance and Cheer squad. After her undergrad degree, Katie moved to California with Sean, her husband, to pursue a full-time career in dance and fitness focusing on strength and injury prevention. For over twelve years, Katie worked in corporate wellness and taught: barre, Pilates, yoga, bungee, and dance to adults and children in Seattle and Bellevue. Katie got her Masters’ Degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, holds her NASM-CPT, yoga 200hr, Pure Barre and Pilates mat certifications. She was a lululemon and Fitbit brand ambassador for the Greater Seattle Area and believes movement should be fun and accessible for everyone in the community.
Katie moved to Port Orchard last year with her husband and two girls, Amelie and Addison. Katie is currently an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab at Tacoma General Hospital and teaches Pilates. Katie misses teaching dance and is very excited to be part of the Academy of Dance team.