Instructors
The instructors for 2008-2009 come from backgrounds that include training with world-renowned teachers, experience teaching in studios and universities across the country, and special training for instruction of various ages, levels, and styles of dance.
Kathryn Howard
Director / Instructor
Kathryn Howard grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, training in dance since the age of four. Her ballet training was the Royal Academy method. As a teenager, she furthered her studies in Los Angeles under the Jazz Masters Joe Tremaine, Roland Dupree and others. In New York, she studied the Limon and Cunningham methods of Modern Dance. She was a dance major at Brigham Young University and also attended the University of Utah to take their special courses in methods of teaching children. Active in Children's Theatre, she was director of Umpqua Youth Musical Theatre Co. for several years. Most recently, she was choreographer for the Umpqua Community College Musical "Beauty and The Beast". Kathryn has been teaching for over 25 years, having owned studios in California and Oregon.
Roísín Brown
Classical Ballet Instructor
Roísín Brown (pronounced Ro-sheen) was raised in Ireland and trained in the Royal Academy of Dance method (RAD) of teaching Classical Ballet. She passed the RAD exams to the teacher level. She also has a teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Music (which is equivalent to a teaching degree in the U.S.) Since coming to the U.S. several years ago, she has been involved in teaching children. More recently, Roísín was selected as an Artist in Residence for the Artist in Education program in surrounding school districts, sharing her Irish Dance background. Roísín pays special attention to correct technique and placement of her students as well as transferring her gift and love of dance.
Summer Hensley
Instructor
Summer Hensley of Roseburg, Oregon has trained in dance for over 18 years. She is accomplished in Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Lyrical Jazz. Besides being trained at the Kathryn Howard School of Dance and at the Eugene School of Ballet, her training has included notable choreographers: Keith Clifton, Rhonda Miller, Greg Russell, and Mandy Moore, among others. Summer also continues her dance education several times a year at Dance Intensive teacher training programs. She has been recognized as the choreographer for the UCC production of "The King and I". Summer has an endearing quality and is capable of working with all age groups. She serves as a role model in dance and the community.
Tianna Bleigh
A native of Roseburg Oregon, Tianna has been dancing for over 15 years. Having trained at the Kathryn Howard School of Dance she has become competent in Jazz and Ballet and been a part of the Kathryn Howard Dance Teams for several years. As one of the schools teachers she has made yearly visits to Los Angeles premier studio 'Edge Performing Arts Center' for cutting edge style, depth of technique, teaching methods, as well as professional level training. Tianna has also had the advantage of notable guest artists from around the country and has a variety of styles and repertoire as a result Kathryn Howard has overseen her develop as a teacher. She assisted for several years as a teen, and then as an adult has taught her own classes. As part of the team of teachers she is well loved and students love to emulate her incredible stage presence and style.