It all started in 1981, when Karen began dancing and competing with internationally recognized DanceSport judge and coach Dan Calloway. Turning pro in 1984, she continued her education, studying under several internationally recognized coaches. She now holds two degrees with the North American DanceSport Association and is working on a third!

 In 1990 she began her dance teaching career in Harrisonburg. She opened “Dancing with Karen” in 2006 at the current location, 77 E Market, where she teaches ballroom, Latin, swing, folk, street and club dances.  She welcomes anyone who wants to take a few lessons casually as well as students keen to compete. 

Her studio is known for a friendly atmosphere, always making people with “two left feet” welcome. Dancing with Karen is unique in that there are no expensive contracts to sign.

“It’s not about the money”, says Karen. “I wanted to make dancing accessible to all. I believe in using your gifts to enrich lives and make people feel good about themselves.”

Karen has enriched lives beyond her Studio. She has done free events and performances for many retirement homes, schools and churches. For thirteen years she has donated studio space, coaching and choreography for the annual “Dancing with the Stars of the ‘Burg” event, helping the Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Daycare Center raise over $1,000,000 toward a new facility.

She was among those honored for her work with the HRCDC on National Philanthropy Day, November 21, 2022, by the Shenandoah Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals. Their motto is “Change the world with a giving heart.”