My girls love to dance, love to perform, but for some reason, every dance class I put them in was unsuccessful. They were always disinterested, never wanting to leave the apartment in the cold, after coming home from school. I would end up paying for an entire semester of ballet, and they showed up to maybe 3 classes. I’m not one to force an activity, so I let it go until I found out that one of my favorite Tracy Anderson trainers started her own dance program downtown. Katy Schuele has been a dancer her whole life, and was also a Knick’s city dancer, which being a big basketball fan, made me love her even more! She is great with children, adores teaching, and found a great dance school to hold her hip hop classes. My girls absolutely love dance class because of Miss Katy, and are always eager to get to class on time. They are learning amazing routines, listening to their favorite tunes, and Katy’s encouragement and endless positivity are infectious. I actually get a little jealous at drop off because I want to stay and dance with them!
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
This will be my second year in business with Dance with Miss Katy!
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
Dance is my life and my passion. As a child, I could never sit still, and when I heard music, I would just want to move my body! My mom enrolled me in dance classes when I was 3 years old, and I have not looked back since. I moved to NYC from a small Wisconsin town and received my BFA in dance at Marymount Manhattan College. Since then, I have performed in many different venues throughout this wonderful city, doing what I love and doing what I do best! Spreading my love of dance offers me the opportunity to share this joy with young people.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
Since I am currently still performing and chasing my own dreams, I feel that I am a wonderful example of a young woman with a positive attitude that is teaching young dancers to also aspire to follow their dreams. It is important to have positive role models for children at this impressionable age. It affected me greatly as a young dancer when I had teachers still dancing professionally. It gave me that additional push to achieve my future goals.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
I feel that by having small-personalized classes, and being able to work with each dancer on an individual level gives me longevity in NYC. I am immersed in the NYC dance world due to the fact that I am performing and auditioning daily. As teachers continue to better themselves in achieving their goal, I feel it translates as a wonderful example to the students to work hard and succeed.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
My clients are young impressionable girls. I feel by being a positive role model and teacher, I impact the dancers I work with. By holding each dancer accountable for their own responsibilities in and out of the dance studio, the girls learn how to work together and let their artistic freedom fly!
What is your favorite part of your job?
Spreading the LOVE of dance. To be able to express emotion through ones body and connect on an even deeper level. To see life through a young dancer’s eyes and to remember that dance and the art of movement can transport you to that happy place!
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
Kiki’s - Best Greek Restaurants on the Lower East Side
How do you benefit mamas?
I benefit moms by giving them a peace of mind that their daughter is in good hands. I feel that especially here in NYC, the daily hectic pace of the city can sometimes be overwhelming. In creating this super personal space for a child to express their artistic flare in, is so valuable and priceless!
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
The most memorable feedback that I received was that I instilled confidence in a young dancer's life. The mother shared that before her daughter took dance class with me, she was unaware of her body and lacked the confidence that she now has. She now walks in a room with her head held high ready to take on the world.
It is also very flattering to hear that my dancers look up to me the same way I looked up to my dance teachers growing up in Wisconsin. To be apart of a child’s growth is so very rewarding for me.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field.
North Shore Dance Studio (the studio in Wisconsin where it all began), Ballet Academy East, Downtown Dance Factory
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
Be over prepared! Not one day is the same for me so having my planner and an array of snacks with me at all time is key.