Karen is President of Transit Dance Initiative – a not for profit organization which promotes youth projects and opportunities for Australian communities.
Karen is also Director of Education at Transit Dance – a full time training facility for pre professional dancers and teachers of dance.
Karen is Patron of the Victorian Dance Festival and is a former President of ATOD and ATODI from 2007 – 2017.
Karen has been an Adjudicator of the Performing Arts for over 20 years; a teacher of theatrical dance for over 45 years and an Examiner for the Australian Teachers of Dancing for over 25 years.
Karen has taught students all aspects of theatrical dance with many students winning scholarships and awards in Classical Ballet, Jazz and Tap. Karen has touched the lives of 1,000’s of students who now enjoy successful careers in their respective fields – dancers, dance teachers, physiotherapists, lawyers, chartered accountants, school teachers and more.
Karen is a graduate of The Australian Ballet School Teachers’ Course 1997.
Karen has a Diploma of Dance Teaching & Management, Diploma of Management, Diploma of Musical Theatre, Cert IV in Business (Governance), a Cert IV in TAE, Working with Children Check and current 1st Aid Certificate.
Karen is the immediate past President of ATOD and former President of ATODI – the international branch of the company. During her time as President and/or on the board as a Director was Chair of Curriculum Development. She has has been innovative in creating new resources in systems of training in the Performing Arts.
During her time on the Board ATOD has attained RTO status and commenced an auspice program for schools to partner with ATOD to offer qualifications on the National Framework. Karen was instrumental in creating the ATOD Emergency Relief Fund which supports teachers and students in their time of need. The fund has contributed thousands of dollars to students and teachers over the years. She was instrumental in commencing a professional development opportunity for teachers Come Together Dance Convention which commenced in 2009.
Her main focus during her time on the board was to support members in a tangible way and she suggested and encouraged the Board to approve the exchange of resources – old for new – at no additional cost to the members.
She was also instrumental in attaining Federal Government Funding for dance teachers to upskill to the then new dance qualifications on the National Framework. This funding became a catalyst for ATOD to secure their first freehold Head Office building in Queensland.
Karen has proven to be innovative in her approach to getting the job done and has great Vision for the industry. She is passionate and committed to continue to contribute in a meaningful way.
On this Episode we talk about-
Dance
Taking the opportunities for growth and education
The lost art of short hand
CommunityKindness
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