From Stage to Studio: Mrs. Katherine Flint

Katherine Flint is the director of The Artistry Dance Company and Visual and a Performing Arts Academy Dance instructor, but what led her to this career?

“I started dancing as a toddler, purely recreational, just something to keep a three-year-old busy,” said Flint. “I was not fully committed to dancing. Swimming was my real hobby at the time.”

It wasn’t until middle school that Flint found herself committing to dance and discovering that she had a real passion for it.

“I got more serious about dancing in middle school, and the next thing I knew, I was a senior in high school and was afraid this would be my last year dancing,” said Flint. 

Flint researched ways to further her dance career, and she eventually found a dance program at George Mason University. 

When reflecting on her earlier years, she remembered how she would assist the teachers by helping the younger students. In doing so, Flint found her passion for both dance and teaching. 

Flint eventually took over and transitioned the Academy Dance Company into the Artistry Dance Company, opening ADC auditions to the whole school. 

“Any dance teacher must have some knowledge and experience before teaching; however, Flint had more than knowledge and experience,” said  VPAA alumnus Teja Angelo. “She has a way of not only helping her students grow as dancers, but as people and performers.” 

Angelo recalls moments when Flint inspired her as a dancer and performer. 

“She made me feel so much more comfortable in my skin and the way I perform. She pushed me into doing things I thought I wasn’t capable of doing because she believed in me,” said Angelo. 

Flint feels as though it’s important to remind her students that their journey is their own and not to compare themselves to others before them. 

“Recalling memories as a dancer only takes me so far; I really have to find myself putting myself in their shoes, and realize that this is their journey,” said Flint.  

Flint often incorporates strategies she has learned in her dance career into her ADC curriculum, including: audition jitters, critiques while rehearsing, increasing her dancers’ comfort, instilling confidence in her dancers, and using her personal history as a dancer.

“I’ve always felt more like an artist who wants to create and guide others rather than just perform,” said Flint. 

Flint has combined her passions, creative thoughts, and talents as a dancer, blended all of them together, and found teaching as her calling. She has inspired many, lived a dream she had since she was a kid.