Miss Karen Riehl (owner/director)
Miss Karen is a native of the Lehigh Valley (raised in Forks Twsp.), where she began her training
at Nardi’s Dance Studio and also studied with Alexi Ramov at the Lehigh Valley Ballet Guild. Miss
Karen has trained at numerous summer programs, such as Eglevsky Ballet and North Carolina
School of the Arts. She was accepted into the PA Governor’s School of Performing Arts where
she studied with master teachers in all forms of dance. Miss Karen graduated with a BA in Dance
from Point Park University. She performed for many years throughout the Lehigh Valley with
DanceGing and various roles with Pennsylvania Youth Theater.
She also received her elementary teaching certification from DeSales University. Miss Karen
taught for the Wilson Area S.D. for over 10 years.
Miss Karen has choreographed musicals for Wilson Area HS the past five years. She also works
with children in the community teaching Dance Enrichment programs at the “Y” Daycare. Miss
Karen is the Assistant Director of the Moravian College Dance Company and teaching ballet
classes.
Miss Karen was a dance instructor for over 12 years before opening her own studio, in her
basement, in 2012. She moved to the new larger location in January of 2014.

Miss Melissa Rowbottom
Melissa is a native of the Lehigh Valley and has been dancing for over 30 years and teaching for
the past 15 years. She has had many roles in the performing arts, including: performer, teacher,
choreographer, and administrator. In her early years, Melissa trained locally and later received
her undergraduate degrees in Dance and Business Management from Point Park University, and
received a Master’s degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University. Melissa has been a
dance company member of many local companies and was most recently a company member of
Annex Dance Company. Melissa has been on the teaching faculty of many local dance studios and
organizations, as well has taught courses in Dance History, Choreography, Musical Theater Dance
Styles, Modern, and Ballet at Saint Joseph’s University, Northampton Community College, and
Moravian College. Melissa was the Director of the Moravian College Dance Company for three
years and helped jump start the dance minor program currently in place. Administratively,
Melissa has worked for non-profit organizations in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Interestingly, Melissa even worked in Development at the State Theater Center for the Arts
where we are having our recital this year!
Out of all her dance experiences, her most favorite is sharing her gift of dance with her
daughters and working with one of her best friends, Miss Karen. Melissa is honored to be a part
of Miss Karen’s Dance Studio and to be able to work with all of her amazing students.

 

Miss Mallory Kutz
This is Miss Mallory's seventh year teaching tumbling at Miss Karen's Dance Studio. She had the
pleasure of starting the first year the studio opened. Miss Mallory started taking dance classes
at two years old. She became a student helper in high school, for tumbling, and never looked
back. This is her twelth year teaching tumbling. Miss Mallory also spent six years coaching local
youth cheerleading. Her passion for teaching, and being around children, is what drives her to
continue year after year. Miss Mallory loves passing her passion of teaching on to future
generations.

Miss Courtney Outeiral
Miss Courtney has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She trained in Nazareth, at
Expression of Dance. While there she studied all styles of dance, was a student teacher, and did
competition. Then in college, she was president of Acta Non Verba, which is a dance ensemble at
Northampton Area Community College. She also took classes and studied under Tabatha
Robinson. Miss Courtney took a few master classes while attending NCC. Miss Courtney was also
on the Kutztown dance team. Miss Courtney works at the Colonial IU, in Autistic Support and
then is happy to come to Miss Karen’s studio to teach there too! Miss Courtney would like to
thank her family for always supporting her. This is Miss Courtney’s seventh year teaching at
Miss Karen’s. Dance has always been her passion, and she is happy to share it with all of her
students. Miss Courtney and her husband are very excited to welcome their twins in October!

 

Britney Keim
Miss Britney is a native of NJ, started dancing at the age of 6, and has never stopped! She
began her training at Nardi’s Dance Studios with instructors who included Miss Karen Riehl &
Miss Melissa Rowbottom. During summers in high school, Britney volunteered her time at the
Hilton Head Boys & Girls Club in Hilton Head, SC as Director of Dance Program
developing/organizing dance performances. Britney attended University of Delaware with B.S. in
Leadership & Minors in Business and Advertising. During college, she competed in UDA Nationals,
and she was heavily involved in sorority dance competitions. She and her husband Sean recently
welcomed their son Brooks in October 2020. Miss Britney is blessed to be a part of Miss Karen’s
Dance Studio family who continue to educate and inspire her.

 

Jessalynn GaNun
Miss Jess began her dance training at 6 years old, in Massachussets, at the Boucher School of
Dance. Dance was an instant love for her. She left Boucher's at age 11 and followed her ballet
teacher, Lisa Trottier, when she opened her own studio, LMT Dance Academy. Miss Jess studied
ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, tap, and jazz. She was also a student teacher for ages 3-11 in all
forms of dance. Miss Jess graduated from LMT in 1999, and continued to study ballet and
modern dance at Franklin Pierce University. This is Miss Jess's 4th year teaching at Miss
Karen's Dance Studio. She is excited, to once again, be able to share her love of dance with
students new and old through hard work and laughter. There is no better feeling for her than
when she has pushed her students, and they leave her class still smiling. She would like to thank
her incredible husband Jason for all of his un-ending support, and his special craftsman skills in
prop making this year. Miss Jess would like all her students to remember to dance with your
heart, and your feet will always follow!

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