about Katie

Katie is an accomplished contemporary ballet dancer with over 20 years of experience performing on prestigious stages across the East Coast, Central Asia, and Europe. An honors graduate of the Kirov Academy of Ballet, she received the Honorable Merit Diploma from the Tersiphora Foundation from St. Petersburg in 2004. After relocating to Rhode Island, Katie introduced the Gyrotonic Expansion System to the region, founding the largest studio in the state. A certified Pre-Trainer, she empowers others to become Gyrotonic instructors and offers transformative private and group classes for all ages and abilities, emphasizing integrity, timing, and alignment. Katie also freelances in art galleries and creative spaces, serves as an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University, and is the Dance Director of Puddingstone, an arts organization presenting live classical music, dance, and visual arts in intimate settings. For inquiries, please contact her studio.

What is the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®?
Within this movement system, we have two parts: with a machine’s guidance and resistance, known as GYROTONIC®, and without the machines, known as GYROKINESIS®. It comes from the combination of two Greek words: “Gyro,” to move or turn around an axis, and “tonic,” stretching, referring to the healthy ability of the muscle (contracting and extending to the maximum).

When did you become a trainer of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®?
I started trying Gyrotonic in 2009 in NYC and immediately started working to become a licensed trainer. I knew I wanted to do this movement system forever, to help heal my deep old injuries and trauma while understanding and educating myself about my body for the future. My goal is to take this and support all other bodies looking in their own respective ways to do the same. Investing in the “BODY BANK” in forever.

What is your training background?
I took the Rejuvenation Course in Germany with Juliu Horvath in 2013. Prior, I trained with Master Trainers Erika Hassan, Lucrezia Caricola, Billy Macagnone, Sebastian Plettenberg, Clyde Rae Jolie-Ashe, and Young-ah Kim. I valued a diverse training experience, including time with Emily Smith in NYC, Megan McLauren in South Africa, and Dave Rasmussen for Golf. Working with Alicia Head and Paul Horvath highlighted the importance of this work in retraining injuries and prevention. I encourage you to consider: “What kind of life do you want?” Quality of life and mobility are essential. If you haven’t tried Gyrotonic, do it today. For years, we have shared, Health is Wealth.

What do you love most about the work?
I love seeing my clients feel lighter, taller, and happier as they experience positive shifts in the studio. I notice their movement changes, which reflects their readiness for deeper exploration of the work. Many express how it benefits their daily lives. Personally, I feel the improvements in my body and life. This practice encourages me to work smarter, be kind to myself, and ease the physical toll of dance. Without cross-training in Gyrotonic, my joints and muscles ache. With Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis, I achieve deep, efficient connections and immediate progress. I am grateful to support my clients while aiding my own recovery.

What’s your biggest challenge?
To encourage my clients to do their homework or home play because enjoying movement is important. Progress requires practice. I’m pleased to see more clients returning to share how much they’ve improved. It's especially rewarding when they feel pain relief after years. Hearing and seeing their progress makes it all worthwhile!