Katie Judge Couilliard began teaching ballet at JLDC to students of all ages and levels inspiring skill development and a love of ballet and contemporary in each of them. While continuing as ballet mistress, Katie assumed her role of JLDC Studio Administrator in 2019. She and her staff work diligently to manage student and parent services from enrollment through performance.

Katie received her early dance training at the Dance Workshop of Hanover, under the direction of Marylou Cunningham. A model student, Katie thrived in dance and was selected to assist Ms. Cunningham’s advanced classes throughout high school. Katie excelled in performance particularly “en pointe” often chosen to partner guest professionals to the Dance Workshop.

Katie holds a BFA (summa cum laude) in ballet and pedagogy from the University of Hartford’s, Hartt School, where she performed original works by George Balanchine and Martha Graham. The Hartt School Dance faculty commissioned a solo piece by Terence Marling for Katie to be performed at the American College Dance Association’s New England Regional Conference. Katie furthered her training at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Katie’s early teaching experience led to an appointment by the Hartt School Community Division and the University of Hartford Magnet School to become Dance Director of the Hartt Community Division’s Prism Project, a performing arts program for students with exceptionalities.