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Owner | Founder
Miss Katie grew up in England loved dancing from the age of 4. Dancing all her life she moved to university upstate NY with a degree in dance and communication. Performing and choreographing throughout her career she always had a a strong passion for teaching Katie set up the dance studio in Ripley Derbyshire 2013. Later setting up an academy. In 2017 she moved to Rochester, NY. Later setting up a studio in Mendon, NY 2019. With 2 babies and 2 studios. Celebrating 10 years of the dance schoolsl this year with a rapidly growing studio and team. Her ethos has always been to create a fun, safe and professional environment of dance .
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Instructor
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Favorite Style: Ballet
What made you want to become a dance teacher? Why is teaching so important to you? Teaching allows me to continue to have dance be a part of my adult life. I wanted to be able to share my love of dance with my students in the same positive and encouraging environment I experienced growing up taking dance classes.
What’s a favorite dance memory that changed your life forever? When I was asked to be a class assistant for the younger students. The experience provided me with confidence as a dancer and as a role model for the younger students.
What’s your teaching style, motto, or words you teach by? I have always loved the quote “Dance with your heart and your feet will follow.”
If you could teach your students one thing that they never forget, what would it be? Always try your best and have fun!
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Hi I am Victoria Winseman! I’m currently a senior at HFL and have been on the varsity gymnastics team since seventh grade. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to share my knowledge with young athletes, though out this journey I have learned coaching is a true passion of mine. Im excited to be a part of Katie Elizabeth School of Dance and look forward to teaching/coaching acro and tumbling ♡
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Emma began dancing ballet at Saugerties Ballet Center when she was 8 years old. Additionally she studied at the New Paltz School of Ballet, and at 16 she was accepted to train with Boston Ballet School for their Summer Dance Program. Emma remained in Massachusetts, having been asked to train as a year round student, studying ballet, modern, and character dance. During this time, she also worked as a teacher’s assistant under the direction of Luciano Aimar, the Head of the Children’s Program, and eventually accepted an offer to become a future teacher with The School. She remained here until the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, she continued her training with BBS over Zoom in New York until she was able to return to Massachusetts in 2021 for the Summer Dance Program with a scholarship. After finishing the summer program, Emma continued her studies at SUNY Purchase’s Conservatory of Dance. After a year, she transferred to SUNY Empire State University, which she graduated from in May of 2024 with her bachelors in Early Childhood and Dance Education. Since graduating, Emma has accepted an apprenticeship with the New York State Ballet for the 2024 to 2025 season. In addition to apprenticing, Emma will be teaching dance in Rochester, New York at the New York State Ballet’s Training Academy. Once she has finished dancing herself, she plans on moving back to Massachusetts and enrolling in Boston Ballet School’s American Preparatory Ballet Training Program to further her teacher training, as well as her own dance training.
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Marah Reuter started dance at the young age of 4 and trained in all styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, musical theatre, and hip hop. She went on to start teaching dance at 16 years old while still dancing herself. Marah has choreographed several overall high scoring routines during her career. She has successfully completed grades 1 and 2 of teacher training school through Dance Masters of America, and plans to return to complete the rest of her studies in following years.
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Carly Lenzi is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and certified yoga instructor who was born and raised in Webster, NY. She began dancing at the age of 5. Her professional training continued at Broadway Dance Center in New York City and The Edge in Los Angeles. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Dance at SUNY Brockport and her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Carly has performed around the country in Jazz and Modern works, along with many Musical Theater productions. She also spent an intensive summer at Broadway Theater Project in Tampa, FL training under Ben Vereen, Donna McKechnie, and Ann Reinking. Carlycurrently teaches at Roberts Wesleyan University and The Draper School.
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Teaching Assistant
Why do you love to dance? Growing up, dance was always been something that helped me to express myself and gain self-confidence. Dance encourages me to be myself and step out of my comfort zone to try new things. In 2021 I was given an amazing opportunity to take the role of a teaching assistant and it has now become a big and important part of my life, I love watching the students have fun and watching their faces light up when they first achieve a new skill! I think it’s also important for the students to know they have someone to trust and rely on so I always make sure to be that person for them.
How long have you been dancing and what are your future goals? I started my dance journey at baby ballet at the age of I joined KE school of dance on the day it opened and it’s been in my life ever since. The amazing dance teachers have always inspired me to reach for my goals and as of now, in the near future I would love to study dance in college with the dream to perform as well as teach.
What is your favourite thing about the dance school? One thing that I love about the dance school is how inclusive and encouraging both the dance teachers and students are. At KE school of dance we really are one big family who always support and love each other.
What is your favourite dance quote? It’s great to have straight legs and pointed toes, but it’s the passion and determination that makes you a dancer.
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Instructor
Amelia has been working as a professional dancer and actor in the industry since 2012, landing her first paid acting job at the age of 15! She then went on to start her dance teaching career at the age of 19 and Katie Elizabeth School of Dance happened to be one of her first teaching jobs. She loved the school and the students so much that she’s still here as a core member of the team! After accepting multiple performing contracts and jobs, her favourite one being when she worked as a dancer for Disneyland Paris, she gained so much knowledge and various skills which she now shares with the younger generations in her classes. Amelia is a qualified AcroDance teacher with expertise in various styles of dance including: Hip Hop, Street Dance, Commercial, Contemporary, Break Dancing and Musical Theatre! She trained in Gymnastics/Acro from a very young age and is now a proud certified member of the ‘Acrobatic Arts’. Amelia feels so lucky to have worked with some of the students for so long and seeing all of the dance milestones they have achieved along the way. She can’t wait to continue her journey with Katie Elizabeth School of Dance and to see what the future holds!
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Instructor
Hometown: Derby
Credentials: International Dance Teachers Association - Associate Qualified Teacher, NCSSE/BCA - Cheerleading Coach, Certificate of Higher Education in Education Studies
Specialty/Favourite Style: I really enjoy cleaning up routines for shows and competitions, taking note of all the small details that can elevate a dance from good to amazing. My favourite style to teach is ballet, as it is the foundation of some many other styles.
What made you want to become a dance teacher? Why is teaching so important to you? I was always drawn to dance when I was younger, but due to a hip and spinal condition, I had to have lots of time off from being in class whilst I was growing up. I knew that it was unrealistic of me to dance at a college/university or professionally. But luckily. I found my niche in teaching. I helped in younger classes from around the age of 12 and never looked back. I’ve always felt you could be the best dancer in the world, but that doesn’t mean you will be the best teacher, so I have taken a lot of time to build on my teaching skills and figure out how to really tune in to the class and what they need.
What’s a favourite dance memory that changed your life forever? As a dancer, it was getting my first pair of pointe shoes. I think many other dancers will agree with that! It’s a really special moment.
As a teacher, I would say it is anytime I see my students getting a step that they previously found difficult. I love seeing them proud of themselves for something they’ve worked hard to achieve. You can’t beat that feeling.
What’s your teaching style, motto or words you teach by? I’d like to think I am firm, but fair (you’ll have to ask the children!). I don’t think it matters if you are the best dancer in a class- it matters that you try YOUR best.
If you could teach your students one thing that they never forget, what would it be? That hard work, dedication and discipline will transfer into any education or job you have in the future. The things we teach you in dance are the building blocks for everything in life. Show up, try your hardest and you’ll succeed.