As a choreographer
Throughout her life, Katie has found her most authentic voice through choreography. From an early age, she was compelled to investigate bodies and movement, driven by an instinct to dissect and understand. This lifelong dedication led her first to Montclair State University, where she was mentored by Stefanie Batten Bland and later to The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she studied creative process with Danny McCusker and received mentorship from Diane Arvanites. At the Conservatory, she was one of eight students in her senior class to declare a choreographic emphasis, culminating in the presentation of work on the mainstage.
Out of this process came her first evening length piece, "An Ode To", and the formation of KTCO, a contemporary dance company committed to exploring the complexities of female identity and experience.
Within a year, she expanded KTCO to New York City, where it has grown into a distinctive voice in the local dance community. The company has premiered work at Arts on Site and the Mark Morris Dance Center, and recently made its international debut with The Good Women Dance Collective in Edmonton, Canada. Her work has also been featured in Artistic Tribe Magazine, which recognized her as “The Young Choreographer to Watch.”
At the heart of all her work is a belief that choreography is not only her life’s purpose, but also a means of questioning societal structures, amplifying underrepresented voices, and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
AS A DANCER
Katie Corrao is a contemporary freelance dancer based in New York City, immersed in projects that encourage strength, authenticity, and societal progress. She began her formal training at Seven Star School of Performing Arts, where she studied both contemporary and commercial dance. Her love for the art form deepened with the introduction of modern and contemporary techniques under the guidance of Mary Grace McNally and Catie Leasca.
Katie went on to pursue her BFA in Contemporary Dance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she refined her technique and artistic voice under the mentorship of Kurt Douglas, Marissa Parmenter, and others. While at the Conservatory, she performed in works by renowned choreographers including Lonnie Landon, Crystal Perkins, Michelle Manzanales, and Thang Dao. She was also selected for the first ever all-female cast of José Limón’s "Unsung" , a historically male only work. This was an experience that deepened her resilience and solidified her commitment to a lifelong career in dance.
Now residing in New York City, Katie continues to freelance with choreographers and collaborators she believes in, dedicated to sharing work that reflects courage, identity, and connection.
As an EDcuator
Katie Corrao began her journey as a dance educator in high school, teaching younger students at her home studio, where she quickly fell in love with the mentorship and influence teaching allows. As an educator, Katie sees herself as more than an instructor. She is a motivator, a guide, and a presence in the lives of students during their most formative years.
Her teaching philosophy centers on creating space for students to explore their artistic identities, uncover their voices, and share themselves with vulnerability and courage. Currently teaching modern and contemporary dance at multiple studios across the tri-state area, Katie emphasizes both technique and artistic expression. Her classes weave together foundations of coordination, stability, and weight with opportunities for students to use the studio as their playground for creative discovery.
