Katie started dancing in 2006 when a friend convinced her to join a historic ballroom dance troupe. While she still enjoys a good waltz, she became completely captivated by the swing era dances, which embody the deep musical connection, rhythmic playfulness, and joyful creative expression she values while dancing.  For the past 9 years, she has devoted herself to learning the ins and outs of Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, St. Louis Shag and the historical context from which they developed.

Katie draws from her professional expertise in education to make her classes student-centered and engaging through inductive exploration and humor.  She is known for her creative, yet sometimes absurd, metaphors and for being the inspiration behind the song “Katie Leatherberry’s Got a Hole in Her Shoe”.