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Katie Flashner • Co-Founder

Katie Flashner, a.k.a. The Girl with the Tree Tattoo, is a World Champion ballroom dancer and published author. Since starting her blog in 2015, she has welcomed thousands of visitors who value her openness and willingness to share the good, the bad, and the awkward of her journey while shedding light on the rarely addressed mental and emotional aspects of being a ballroom dancer. Katie currently lives in Midcoast Maine with her two dogs and enjoys watching the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings when she isn’t dancing or writing.

Suzanne Dunavent-White • Committee 

Suzanne began dancing in a small town in Texas, happily performing to cute numbers in great costumes, everything from tutus to tap shoes. Dance was one arena where her shyness could take a backseat. She danced through high school and college, sampling a variety of styles and toying with choreography, and eventually earned an M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy through Antioch University. Suzanne has performed with Women’s Works, Lasansky Studio, Kinetic Energy Alive, and Breaking Form.

Rori Smith • Committee

Rori is a movement artist-educator-researcher residing in midcoast Maine. She is a doctoral candidate at University of Maine studying the intersections of somatics, art and continental philosophy. She holds an MFA in dance from Temple University. In her daily life as a Continuum and Pilates teacher, Rori witnesses that as we move differently, we think differently about ourselves and the world around us. She remains curious about the link between movement and perspective.

Teresa Carey • Co-Founder 

Teresa Carey’s dance journey began at a small studio in Northern Michigan. She continued to study with the University of Michigan, with classes at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Paul Taylor Dance, and the American Dance Festival. Teresa led dance programs at boarding schools and coached award-winning dance teams. She also taught Yoga and dance at Lake Placid Center for the Arts, and taught movement to adults with cancer and chronic illnesses. Now, Teresa is a media producer and journalist and will be studying dance in Italy this winter. In Maine, Teresa enjoyes dancing with Kenetic Energy Alive, and watching her son dance with Studio Red. 

Jessie Laurita-Spanglet • Advisor

Jessie Laurita-Spanglet, a dance artist and educator in midcoast Maine, is deeply engaged in dance and health. As a Creative Aging Teaching Artist with the Maine Arts Commission, she collaborates with the Dance Exchange in Takoma Park, MD, and instructs improvisational movement to diverse groups, including adults with neurodegenerative diseases. Jessie’s work with IMPROVment®, a group exploring improvisational movement teaching, has centered on teacher education, outreach, and research. With an MFA in dance from the University of Maryland, College Park, she’s contributed to institutions like the University of Virginia, Dance Exchange, and Casco Bay Movers, bringing her expertise to Pilates teaching and a Lecturer role at the University of Southern Maine.

Kari Luehman • Advisor

Meet Kari, the visionary behind 5Rhythms – A Conscious Dance Portal in Maine. As the creator of this dynamic group, Kari’s mission is to inform and inspire. She embraces the diverse tapestry of conscious dance, and inspiring a vibrant community.