About
Kristine Halker, Studio Owner
Kristine Halker, Studio Owner, was a professional dancer in New York City for over 15 years. With a BFA in Ballet from Cincinnati conservatory, she was seen in both the National tours of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Music Man. Kristine worked in numerous regional productions around the country and booked commercial work as well. Kristine has been teaching Dance in NYC and surrounding areas since moving to NYC. Kristine loves seeing children learn and gain confidence through movement and music!
Katelyn Sommers
Katelyn Sommers, Instructor, started her dance training in her hometown of Wisconsin Rapids, WI. By age 11 she began partaking in annual summer dance intensives around the world. At age 15, she moved to Michigan to study dance at Interlochen Arts Academy, performing roles such as Giselle and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Katelyn proceeded to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music, performing leading roles in works by Anthony Krutzkamp, Victoria Morgan, and Andre Megerdichian. Alongside university, Katelyn performed professionally with the Traverse City Dance Project and guested in various productions of The Nutcracker. She spent her final year at university dancing with the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company. After moving to New York City nearly five years ago, she has danced multiple seasons with the Connecticut Ballet, East Coast Contemporary Ballet, Arch Contemporary Ballet, MorDance, Ballet Inc, Abanar Dance Films, The Creators Collective, and various other companies. Katelyn has worked with dance photographers such as Rachel Neville and Luis Pons and has catalog modeled for Lulli Dancewear. She has taught company classes for East Coast Contemporary Ballet and student classes for multiple studios throughout New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Katelyn loves to teach and share dance with others.
Caroline Boesen
Caroline Boesen, Instructor, started teaching dance in her home town of Wichita, KS. After moving to NYC, Caroline was thrilled to join the Dance Heights team. Caroline received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Dance from Wichita State University. She has performed in multiple regional productions, including Grease at Music Theatre Wichita, and hopes to continue her performing career here in NYC. In Kansas, Caroline choreographed for organizations like, Music Theatre For Young People, Christian Youth Theatre, The McPherson Opera House, and many community high schools. She is so excited to be starting her NYC teaching career with Dance Heights.
Samantha Sweed
Samantha Sweed, is originally from Houston, Texas where she graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major. Samantha held an internship with Walt Disney World before moving to NYC where she completed the Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program as well as the Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester. She has worked professionally in dance, television, and film. Samantha is the founder and owner of Artists Who Care. AWC is a referral-based business connecting New York City families needing flexible childcare and artists with childcare experience seeking supplemental income.
Aydan Cohen
Aydan Cohen, is a recent alumni and ambassador for the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and is working towards her BFA in Dance at New Jersey City University. She is trained in a diverse range of dance styles including ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, theater dances, jazz, latin dances and more, as well as singing, acting and creative writing pursuits.