Kathy's Studio of Dance - West Seattle, WA


	Kathryn M. Lahey - Director, Company Teacher, Children’s Classes Kathy has been a dance teacher with her own studio for 33 years. She had a studio in Illinois (north of Chicago) for 6 years and has been in business in West Seattle for 28 years. Before teaching, she trained at two studios, both in Illinois. She studied ballet with Judith Svalander School of Ballet in Illinois. Kathy has taught dance at many Seattle area Community Centers. She has been a choreographer for musicals, Beauty Pageants, Pompon Squads and Cheerleaders (Chief Sealth, Foster and Cleveland High Schools). Kathy is a member of the “Dance Educators of America” and the “Professional Dance Teachers Association.” For the 17th year, Miss Kathy is a staff member and judge for STARPOWER National Talent Competition. She also works with “Manhattan Dance Project” on workshops out of New York, where she travels some weekends around the country.

	Christine Tolmich - Assistant Director, Hip Hop, Children’s Classes, Company Teacher Christine has grown up as a dancer with Kathy’s Studio of Dance. She has been with us for 26 years as a student and 22 years as a teacher. Miss Christine has studied dance at Bellevue Community College and Westlake Dance Center. She was cheerleading coach for West Seattle High School for 2 years. She was the choreographer for a Microsoft kick-off video. Her choreography has won awards at many competitions. Miss Christine was awarded the prestigious “Choreography Award” at Starpower National Talent Competition. She also assists Miss Kathy with Manhattan Dance Project in Seattle.

	Kelley Knight - Company Tap, Adult Tap This is Kelley’s 16th year as a teacher. She has been part of our studio for 20 years. Her tap routines have won awards at competitions. Miss Kelley’s tap dances are always the favorite at our recital. She also assists in Manhattan Dance Project in Seattle. Her artwork can also be seen on the Recital program cover and Recital t-shirts. Miss Kelley’s music expertise comments were printed in the national magazine “Dance Teacher” and she does all the music editing for the Studio.

	Casey Vineyard - Children’s Classes, Company Teacher, Acrobatics (tumbling) Casey grew up here at our studio. She’s danced here for 26 years. This is her 13th year as a teacher with our studio. Several years ago Casey attended Universal Dance Association All Stars in Paris, France. Miss Casey has also taken classes at “Broadway Dance Center” and “Steps on Broadway” in New York City. Miss Casey is a certified gymnastics instructor with the United States Gymnastics Association. She was also the cheerleading coach for 2 years at West Seattle High School and the tumbling coach for Hope Lutheran Cheer squad.

	Bonnie Sullivan – Company Ballet, Choreography Bonnie has danced at our studio for 18 years. She was our prep ballet teacher for 6 years. This is her 7th year as Company ballet teacher. She has taken special classes at Westlake Dance Center in Seattle. Miss Bonnie is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she took ballet classes. She attended a foot anatomy workshop for dancers in Vancouver, WA.

	Shonna Peterson – Children’s Classes, Mini and Junior Company Shonna has been part of our studio for 20 years. She was an assistant for 6 years during her earlier years. This is her 4th year as a teacher with us. In the past, she has choreographed routines for the West Seattle Hi-Yu pageant. She is a real inspiration to our Company dancers as she pushes them to be the best they can be.

	Stephanie Savidge - Children’s Classes Stephanie has been a part of our Studio for over 22 years. She was an assistant here for 5 years and a teacher now for 4 years. Stephanie left us briefly when in college at the University of Washington. She graduated from the UW with her Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies and a Minor in Dance. She was also in the Dance Majors Concert in 2009 at the UW. She has been the choreographer for Westside Drama Department for 3 years. She has taken master classes all over the Seattle area including Cultural Dance Studies, Anatomy and Physiology.

	Hailey Young - Children’s Classes and Acrobatics (tumbling) Hailey also grew up at our Studio. She has been with us for 17 years. She was an assistant Teacher for 6 years and Miss Kathy’s Lead and Substitute for 4 years. She has been teaching her own classes now for the past year. She has specialized in assisting with the 3 and 4 year olds dancers. She is currently attending South Seattle Community College where she is studying Health and Nutrition and plans to be a Personal Trainer.

	Zhenjun Zhang (ZJ) – Company Ballet and Pointe Technique ZJ is a professional teacher, dancer, and choreographer who teaches movement and modern dance based on the Limon and Graham techniques. ZJ has danced with both the Limon and Graham Companies, appeared in “The King and I” New York and London Productions, and has been involved with many productions of “The King and I” as Choreographer, Dance Captain, and performer. He was trained in classical ballet in China and also studied Chinese Classical Dance, Folk Dance, Acrobatics, and Choreography where he won national awards for both choreography and performance. Prior to coming to Seattle, he studied in New York at “Steps On Broadway”. ZJ received his BFA from the professional dancer’s program at Cornish College of the Arts in 2007. ZJ is a member of Actor’s Equity and SSDC. This is Mr ZJ’s 3rd year teaching Ballet to our Company.

	Brynne Flidais – Company Ballet, Preventing Injuries Classes Brynne attended Indiana University for 2 years taking Modern Dance Technique, Movement Analysis and Dance History. She also studied Physiology, Biomechanics, and Structural Kinesiology. Miss Brynne also studied Modern Dance at San Diego University for a year. She was cast in the annual faculty show at Indiana University in 2007 and 2008. She has taught and performed for many schools and companies all over the United States.

Teacher Photos

25th Anniversary Recital teacher reunion


Photos courtesy of Mowery's Photography

Kathy's Studio of Dance - 4210 SW Edmunds St. Seattle, WA 98116 - 206-935-3777

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