35 Years | dancingwithkaren

I was born in a small log dance studio with a dirt dance floor …

Dancing with Karen

Dancing with Karen has been my trademark for 37 years and it has seen many locations and circumstances. Over that time two guiding principles have always been present - dancing is for everyone and it should be affordable. In addition to creating a livelihood I have always believed in supporting and giving back to the community through dance.

Trivia Note: That's my daughter in the logo.

Karen is celebrating 37 years of teaching this year!

In 1981 Karen began dancing and competing with world-renowned ballroom judge and coach Dan Calloway. She began teaching some social dance classes in Easton MD in 1984, and never looked back. In 1989 she opened Dancing with Karen in Harrisonburg.

Karen has studied dance with a distinguished list of top-level dancers, including:

Melanie LePatin and Tony Meredith – United States Latin Champions
Steven Hillier
Peter and Pamela Eggelton
Steven Hannah
Corkie and Shirley Ballas
Walter Laird (wrote “The Technique of Latin Dancing – a book used all over the world).
Rickey Geiger – one of the world’s most influential women in ballroom dancing.

Karen has attained two ballroom dance degrees with the North American Dancesport Teachers of America. She was working on her Fellowship with Rickey Geiger (Grande Dame of ballroom dance!) when Rickey sadly passed away earlier this year. Rickey is missed! Karen plans to continue her fellowship studies with a new trainer.

Community Involvement

Dancing with the Stars of the Burg

Thrill the World

Cat's Cradle

Outreach to Senior Centers

Cotillion

I love helping young people develop the social tools, skills, grace and poise needed to become gracious adults.

Harrisonburg

Community Involvement

Dancing with the Stars of the Burg

Thrill the World

Before Harrisonburg

Community Involvement

Cotillion

The idea of Cotillion may seem quaint by today's standards but Cotillion gave many prior generations valuable social tools and skills. I loved being able to participate in helping young people develop the grace and poise needed to become gracious adults.