| karen mills |
| bio |
| bio |
| Karen has been partner dancing since 1991, was a former Champion competitor in International Latin Ballroom from 1995-2001 and graduated top of her class (High Honors) from the Teacher Certification program at Ballroom Dance Teacher’s Academy. She teaches American Rhythm, Smooth and Nightclub Dances at Preciado's Ballroom Dance studio in Santa Clarita, for the Ballroom Dance Academy in Hollywood and technique intensive privates in Santa Clarita and Van Nuys. Karen is a very versatile dancer and has trained and performed in many other partner and solo dances. She has also successfully taught 100+ total beginner adults how to partner dance. Karen started dancing as an adult, her first partner dance was salsa, travelling throughout the US, Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba to explore the various dance and musical styles of salsa. In 1994, Karen travelled to Cuba and studied Afro-Cuban and Cuban popular dances at Cuba’s National School of Dance (Escola National de Arte) and returned in 2001 to train with Cuba’s top Folkloric dance group – Ban-Ra-Ra. In 1994, a severe foot injury prevented Karen from walking for 6 months and she was left with a limp. Determined to dance again, she took private coaching in International Latin Ballroom. After 6 months, the limp was gone and she was strong enough to compete and won many Ballroom competitions from 1995-2001 (see below). Karen trained with top coaches in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York and England. Karen’s diverse musical and dance interests has led her to study many other dances such as Brazilian samba, swing, hustle, hip hop, African, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Belly-dance, Flamenco, Argentine Tango, Ballet and Jazz in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cuba and Brazil. In 2001, Karen traveled to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival and trained in Rio-style Samba. On her return, she performed with a San Francisco-based samba dance troupe “Hot Pink Feathers”. She returned to Brazil in 2003 for the Bahia Carnival and trained in Afro-Brazilian dance. Karen’s early creative expression was in Chemistry and Computer science. Karen created 15 new Chemical compounds in Australia and was published in 2 scientific publications. While in the Computing industry (Australia, Asia-Pacific, US and Europe), she was always at the forefront of technology, finding new applications for early innovations, prototyping and building teams and organizations to develop, market, sell and support the new technologies. Karen is also a talented artist, developing her own spontaneous style of watercolors on rice- paper, holding exhibitions in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Laguna Beach. She has been featured on HGTV and was selected as “Artist of the year” by the City of Buena Vista. Today, her art is owned by 90+ collectors and she has introduced 300+ people to art. For over 20+ years, Karen has been coaching, teaching and introducing new concepts to many people - from her days in the computing industry introducing innovative new technologies to hundreds of large corporations and thousands of people, to her life as an artist and coach, transforming lives through creativity in art and dance - helping everyone express and find their inner joy, transforming businesses to prosperity and helping individuals to their happiness and success. Ballroom Dance Training
Latin Semi-finalist 2011, Blackpool Amateur Semi-finalist 2010 - Steve Vasco, Campbell - #4 in the world American Rhythm 2009 Stephan Krauel, Redwood City - judge, former US Latin finalist and former 5x World 10 dance representative
Specialist Coaches
Other Dance Training
Ballroom Competitions (International Latin) 1995 - 2001 Autumn Dance Classic 1st (Pro-Am) Galaxy 1st (Pro-Am), Finalist (Amateur) International Grand Ball 1st (Pro-Am) California Open 2nd and 1st (Pro-Am) California Winter Festival 1st (Pro-Am) Dance Performances 2001 – 2002 20+ Samba shows with “Hot Pink Feathers” including San Francisco Music Awards, San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts, private and corporate events, festivals and clubs. 1994 “Inna City Slam” with “Third Wave Dancers”, San Francisco 1992-1994 Many salsa performances in clubs and TV performances in local dance shows in San Francisco Contact Karen at 661-373 3988 or karen@ricepaperart.com |
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| ba l l r o o m |
Copyright (c) 2011 Karen Mills
