Kathy's Studio of Dance - West Seattle, WA


	Kathryn M. Lahey - Company Teacher, Children’s Classes, Director Kathy has been a dance teacher with her own studio for 32 years. She had a studio in Illinois (north of Chicago) for 6 years and has been in business in West Seattle for 27 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 16th 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 - Hip Hop, Children’s Classes, Company Teacher, Assistant Director Christine has grown up as a dancer with Kathy’s Studio Of Dance. She has been with us for 25 years as a student and 21 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 15th year as a teacher. She has been part of our studio for 19 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, Recital t-shirts, and our Recital backdrops. Miss Kelley’s music expertise comments were printed in the national magazine “Dance Teacher”.

	Casey Vineyard - Children’s Classes, Company Teacher, Acrobatics (tumbling) Casey grew up here at our studio. She’s danced here for 25 years. This is her 12th 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. Miss Casey was chosen to be a Sonics cheerleader – but passed up the opportunity to teach here at our studio. For two years she was the tumbling coach for Hope Lutheran Cheer squad.

	Bonnie Sullivan – Company Ballet, Choreography Bonnie has danced at our studio for 17 years. She was our prep ballet teacher for 6 years. This is her 6th 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 Company Shonna has been part of our studio for 20 years. She was an assistant for 6 years. This is her 3rd year as a teacher with us. Shonna has taken classes at Westlake Dance Center also. In the past, she has choreographed for the West Seattle Hi-Yu pageant.

	Stephanie Savidge - Children's Classes Stephanie has been a student at the Studio for over 22 years. She was an assistant here for 5 years and a teacher now for 3 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 2 years. She has taken master classes all over the Seattle area including Cultural Dance Studies, Anatomy and Physiology.

	Hailey Young - Children's Classes Hailey also grew up at our Studio. She has been with us for 16 years. She was an assistant Teacher for 5 years and Miss Kathy’s Lead and Substitute for 3 years. She has specialized in assisting with the 3 and 4 year olds dancers. She is currently attending Seattle Central Community College.

	Zhenjun Zhang (ZJ) – Company Ballet and Pointe Technique A professional teacher, dancer and choreographer teaches creative 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.

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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