MansfieldMansfield

Katie is a professional dancer who has earned a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Commercial Dance, at the Boston Conservatory. She loves performing, telling a story, and being a part of this great community. She has been in shows related to Cirque De Soleil as well as Singers’ Showcases representing artists like The Weeknd, Coldplay, and more. Katie has also dabbled in choreographing for various projects.

She loves teaching and sharing her passion with others to inspire and be inspired. She strives to live life on a stage underneath the bright lights fulfilling her dreams, while also being able to give her knowledge back to the dance world that means everything to her. She truly believes life would be meaningless without dance.

Katelyn was born and raised in New York and started dancing recreationally at the age of three and competitively from the age of seven on regional, national and international stages. Katelyn has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre. Katelyn was also a part of the Tap City Youth Ensemble, and the American Tap Company.

Through these groups, she had the opportunity to compete at the World Tap Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany earning two gold medals, and to perform in showcases around the world including London England, Barcelona Spain, New York City and at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. Katelyn then went on to study Dance at SUNY Brockport where she strengthened her skills in Ballet, and dove into the worlds of Modern and African dance.

Her studies focused on technique, anatomy, and choreography. She took part in student run shows, as well as professor-run residency programs. In her time there, Katelyn choreographed multiple pieces in all styles, and participated in the SUNY Brockport Dance team, doing half time performances at football games. Although Katelyn has spent ample time performing, her heart lies in educating. At a young age Katelyn would assist in classes, and teach children one to one.

This fueled her love for working with children and passing her knowledge onto the next generation of dancers. She is now based in Massachusetts, and teaches in the New England area receiving choreography awards in multiple styles, age and skill levels. She also adjudicates dance on a regional and national level. There is nothing more that she loves than to leave a positive impact on the future of the dance industry, and hopes to spend her career doing so.

Ashley Baxley is a Connecticut native and by day, a middle school science teacher. She has vast experience coaching, teaching & choreographing for junior high, high school, college, studio and all-star dancers with a strong focus in Pom and Hip Hop. She has been choreographing and judging with Varsity Spirit's National Dance Alliance from 2017 to now.

With NDA, she is a 9-year member and has been named Top Rookie Instructor, Top Veteran Instructor, Top Rookie Head Instructor and the Devoted Service Award because of her investment in summer camps. She also has experience with professional cheerleading and dance team organizations such as the NLL New England Black Wolves and was a four year member of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun Solar Power Dance Team.

Ashley previously was the head coach of her alma mater, the University of Connecticut Dance Team for five years. Her choreography has won Innovative Choreography at the NDA National Championship and a collegiate national title at NDA College Nationals, both in the Team Performance category. Ashley continues to choreograph and consult for dancers, instructors, and studio owners in the New England area.

She also trained and assisted under renowned companies and choreographers, including Mishay Petronelli, Joshua Pelatzky, Takehiro Ueyama, Nailah Randall-Bellinger, Sheryl Murakami and Nadege Hottier. Eventually, Kara shifted her focus from performing to teaching, and today, she travels the East Coast choreographing, instructing, judging, and mentoring young, aspiring dancers. For Kara, the world of the arts is a privilege to be part of, and she feels deeply honored to contribute to its beauty and growth.

She also trained and assisted under renowned companies and choreographers, including Mishay Petronelli, Joshua Pelatzky, Takehiro Ueyama, Nailah Randall-Bellinger, Sheryl Murakami and Nadege Hottier. Eventually, Kara shifted her focus from performing to teaching, and today, she travels the East Coast choreographing, instructing, judging, and mentoring young, aspiring dancers.

Lauren Barrett is originally from NJ, she later moved to NYC to begin her professional career. Credits include The View, CBS Morning Show, ESPN, ESPN2, Macy’s, Guess, Benetton, Make A Wish and American Express. She is a former member of Tracie Stanfield’s, Synthesis Dance Project and Calen Kurka’s, :pushing progress. Her performance credits include the Capezio ACE Awards, B.B.

Kings NYC, Carnival Choreographer’s Ball, DUMBO Arts Festival, SoNo CT Arts festival, the Elan Awards, Bridge for Dance, Peridance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Connecticut’s Dancing With the Stars. Lauren has been teaching, choreographing, and adjudicating for 20 years and her students have gone on to be signed with Bloc Agency, Clear Talent Group, Top 10 on SYTYCD, Radio City Rockettes as well as featured in television, film and commercials.

She continues to teach and choreograph along the East Coast, while maintaining her role as Competition Director at a competitive studio in Norwalk CT. Lauren is passionate about creating and cultivating safe and inclusive dance spaces, allowing each student to explore their own movement quality and individual expression.