Katie Parr Smith
Katie began dancing ballet at the age of five with the Maryse Gobel Ballet Academy in Nacogdoches, TX. She danced eleven years before moving during high school to study with ballet programs in Plano and San Antonio, TX.
Upon graduation, Katie was accepted on scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet/New School University BFA program in New York City where she studied for two years. She had the privilege of working with instructors/choreographers such as David Howard, Trinette Singleton, Paul Sutherland, Eleanor D’Antuono, Ginger Thatcher and John Magnus.
In 2001, Katie was invited to join the Minnesota Ballet. She danced professionally with the company for four years during which she toured and performed principal and soloist ballet, modern and jazz roles. Her most memorable role was her last, “Cinderella,” which she felt privileged to perform in her hometown, Nacogdoches.
Due to an injury, Katie retired from professional ballet and began learning/teaching ballroom and Latin dance. Over several years, she taught for many dance studios in New Orleans, LA and Austin, TX.
In 2008, Katie accepted the position of Director of the Gobel School of Dance (GSD) from Maryse Gobel. She has loved bringing classical ballet and ballroom classes as well as many other dance opportunities to East Texas.
This will be Katie’s eighth year as GSD Director and first full year as Co-Founder, along with Heather Samuelson, of Dimensions Contemporary Ballet.
Katie began dancing ballet at the age of five with the Maryse Gobel Ballet Academy in Nacogdoches, TX. She danced eleven years before moving during high school to study with ballet programs in Plano and San Antonio, TX.
Upon graduation, Katie was accepted on scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet/New School University BFA program in New York City where she studied for two years. She had the privilege of working with instructors/choreographers such as David Howard, Trinette Singleton, Paul Sutherland, Eleanor D’Antuono, Ginger Thatcher and John Magnus.
In 2001, Katie was invited to join the Minnesota Ballet. She danced professionally with the company for four years during which she toured and performed principal and soloist ballet, modern and jazz roles. Her most memorable role was her last, “Cinderella,” which she felt privileged to perform in her hometown, Nacogdoches.
Due to an injury, Katie retired from professional ballet and began learning/teaching ballroom and Latin dance. Over several years, she taught for many dance studios in New Orleans, LA and Austin, TX.
In 2008, Katie accepted the position of Director of the Gobel School of Dance (GSD) from Maryse Gobel. She has loved bringing classical ballet and ballroom classes as well as many other dance opportunities to East Texas.
This will be Katie’s eighth year as GSD Director and first full year as Co-Founder, along with Heather Samuelson, of Dimensions Contemporary Ballet.
Heather Samuelson
Heather received her M.F.A. in dance from Sam Houston State University in 2009 and is now Co-Director of the Stephen F. Austin dance program. For many years, Heather was the choreographer for the Tyler Junior College Show Choir, Harmony and Understanding, whose performance schedule consisted of local and national venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Heather has had her choreography presented and adjudicated at the American College Dance Association South Central and Central Conference and has taught numerous master classes at ACDA as well. She has also been a guest speaker and choreographer at Houston Community College where she set her Limon-based modern piece Broken Darkness.
Heather has worked with many professionals in dance including William Evans, Joy Kellman, Liz Keen and Paul Taylor II and is trained in ballet, Limon modern (contemporary), Broadway jazz, tap and Tahitian hula.
This will be Heather’s first full year as Co-Founder, along with Katie Parr Smith, of Dimensions Contemporary Ballet. She is also the Jazz/Contemporary 3 and Tap Instructor at Gobel School of Dance.
Heather received her M.F.A. in dance from Sam Houston State University in 2009 and is now Co-Director of the Stephen F. Austin dance program. For many years, Heather was the choreographer for the Tyler Junior College Show Choir, Harmony and Understanding, whose performance schedule consisted of local and national venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Heather has had her choreography presented and adjudicated at the American College Dance Association South Central and Central Conference and has taught numerous master classes at ACDA as well. She has also been a guest speaker and choreographer at Houston Community College where she set her Limon-based modern piece Broken Darkness.
Heather has worked with many professionals in dance including William Evans, Joy Kellman, Liz Keen and Paul Taylor II and is trained in ballet, Limon modern (contemporary), Broadway jazz, tap and Tahitian hula.
This will be Heather’s first full year as Co-Founder, along with Katie Parr Smith, of Dimensions Contemporary Ballet. She is also the Jazz/Contemporary 3 and Tap Instructor at Gobel School of Dance.