Originally from Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, KATIE MARIE KELLY holds a bachelor’s degree in choral music education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master of fine arts degree in musical theatre from the University of Central Florida. She began dance training at age four at Kay Marie & Carol’s School of Dance in Robbinsdale, MN. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe there for 14 years. Kay Marie and Carol also started her singing onstage at their annual dance recitals at age five. As a professional musical theatre dancer, Ms. Kelly further studied ballet, jazz, and modern at various schools such as Orlando Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. She continued her dance study in graduate school for two years under the instruction of Brian Vernon and former Bob Fosse dancer, Gary Flannery. She also trained vocally in the Estill Voice Training System under Dr. Steven Chicurel. Ms. Kelly spent six years training performers and teaching shows at Walt Disney World resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. She has performed professionally as a singer, dancer, and actress for various companies such as Walt Disney World, Gaylord Entertainment, and VEE Corporation. She has also choreographed and directed shows for several community theatres and educational institutions in the Midwest. Ms. Kelly currently teaches theatre and dance at Clayton State University and her primary area of research focuses on the creation of a methodology for training musical theatre choreographers.