Monifa: Tell me a bit about yourself; where’d you grow up…go to school?

Katherine: I grew up in Watchung, NJ, and through high school, I trained in multiple styles of dance at Dance Innovations. I continued my education through a seven year medical program, where I earned my BS in biology at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and earned my MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. I’m currently in my last year as a pediatric resident at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson, and still dancing! As both a dancer and not just a doctor, but a pediatrician, I have been able to appreciate firsthand the positive role of dance throughout every stage, and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to continue this balance in my own life.

Monifa: In your opinion, how does participation in dance education influence the developmental outcomes of young people?

Katherine: Dance incorporates so many parts of the mind and body that, to little surprise, studies have found a variety of positive influences among dance and many domains of youth development. The physicality of this art form fosters balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility, while the cognitive dynamic of learning routine after routine, in addition to continually striving to improve technique, fosters growth in short and long term memory, adaptability, focus, discipline, and determination. Moreover, as an art form and for so many dancers a passion, dance provides an outlet for creativity, commitment, expression, and community. 

Monifa: Tell me about your journey in tap dance.

Katherine: I grew up training and performing in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and modern, although tap always stood out as my strongest style and my passion. Therefore in my time at TCNJ I founded, led, and performed with TCNJ Tap Ensemble, and I’m proud that this group continues to thrive and provide a positive tap dance community at TCNJ to this day! Throughout medical school and into the start of my pediatrics residency I then trained and performed as part of FutureSTEP Tap Company, directed by Hillary-Marie, which provided a wonderful source of mentorship and deeper appreciation for the broader tap dance culture and community. Additionally, throughout the years I have both trained and been part of multiple projects with American Tap Company, and I have always enjoyed a variety of opportunities to continue training and connecting with the dance community, including traveling to various tap festivals and seeking out master classes at studios such as Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Lately I have been involved in personal performances and other companies, including performing as a solo professional artist at Dance New Jersey’s Show Up and Dance showcase, as part of Buck and Wing Tap Company, and most recently as part of Tonality, NJ’s newest tap dance collective.

Monifa: What upcoming performances do you have scheduled, and could you share some information about your dance company? How can interested audience members attend one of your shows?

Katherine: I’m always looking forward to new performance opportunities, and some upcoming highlights will include a performance and music video from Tonality in August, and a performance in NYC this November with Buck and Wing Tap Company. It has also become a tradition to film a yearly tap music video on the beach featuring live music from my brothers, who are both also doctors and musicians, so look out for that and upcoming performance information on my social media! More information on Tonality can be found through Flair Dance Company (@flairdancecompany, flairdancecompany.com), and more information on Buck and Wing Tap Company can be obtained by emailing buckandwingtapco@gmail.com.