Mary (Katie) Hicks-Borsuk
Katie teaches Acrobatics, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Lyrical in the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University’s Community Arts Program and she is also an adjunct professor for ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University teaching undergraduate dance technique classes. Katie has been teaching dance for over 10 years recreationally and competitively. She is the coordinator for ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy (SHUDA), the Community Arts Assistant and the Head Coach for the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Cheerleading & Dance Teams (Spirit Squad). In addition, Katie is the coordinator and head coach for SHUDA’s Diamonds Competitive Team and is the director for SHUDA’s Holiday Show “The Jazzy Nutcracker”. Katie is a 2012 ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University graduate with a dual certification in Theatre Design & Technology and Dance Choreography. While attending ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Katie was a dance instructor at Westmoreland Gymnastics, Greensburg, PA, and the choreographer for Spirit Elite All-Star Cheer Squad, Latrobe, PA. Katie’s love for dance began at the age of three in Oil City, PA at Entre Chat with the main instructor Flo Frost, a ballerina from France. At the age of six, she began taking lessons at Studio 22 with TaMara Swank where she studied with Swank for seven years and Marc Holland for five. She studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tap and Modern. While at the studio, she was a dance assistant for three years and an instructor during her senior year. Katie danced on the competitive team starting at age six and won many awards for both solo and group competitive numbers. Katie’s mission is to share her knowledge and love of dance with her students in a positive, supportive and encouraging environment. "Dance is the hidden language of the soul." ~Martha Graham
Education
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Bachelor's of Arts in Dance Choreography and Theatre Design & Technology, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University (Greensburg, PA), 2012
Awards
ADCC Studio of Excellence -- Breakout Dance Competition 2023 Published in The Competitive Advantage
Ultimate Emotional Execution Choreography Award - Beyond the Stars 2023
Ultimate Crowd Pleaser Choreography Award - Beyond the Stars 2023
Ultimate Entertainment Choreography Award - Beyond the Stars 2023
Top Choreographer - Encore DCS Competition 2023
2023 "Spirit of Encore" Studio of Excellence -- Encore DCS Competition
Choreography Award - Celebration Talent Competition 2023
2023 "Life of the Party" Studio of Excellence -- Celebration Dance Competition
ADCC Studio of Excellence -- Beyond the Stars 2022 Published in The Competitive Advantage
2022 National Champions -- Beyond the Stars Competition, Court House Cape May, NJ
2022 "Life of the Party" Studio of Excellence -- Celebration Dance Competition
2019 National Champions -- Beyond the Stars Competition, Court House Cape May, NJ
ADCC Studio of Excellence -- Beyond the Stars 2019 Published in The Competitive Advantage (July 2019)
Supreme Studio Award -- Nationals 2017 and Regionals 2018
Certifications
Acrobatic Arts Certified
Mental Health First Aid USA
USA Cheer - CrashCourse Concussion Training
USA Cheer - Safety & Risk Management
Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Certified
Achievements
Flash Mob - Westmoreland Walks, Inc: Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer: Twin Lakes, Greensburg, PA, October 2018
Flash Mob - Child Abuse Prevention Month with Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA): Westmoreland Courthouse, Greensburg, PA, April 2018
"The Polar Express" Choreographer & Director-- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2018. An original SHUDA production.
"Letter's From Santa" Choreographer & Director-- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2017. An original SHUDA production.
"Grinchmas" Choreographer & Director-- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2016. An original SHUDA production.
"What's Your Elf Up To?" Choreographer & Director-- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2015. An original SHUDA production.
"Mrs. Claus and Her North Pole Adventures" Choreographer & Director-- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2014. An original SHUDA production.
"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" Choreographer & Director-- ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ University Dance Academy, Greensburg, PA. 2013. An original SHUDA production.
"The Drowsy Chaperone" Choreographer-- Barrow Civic Theater, Franklin, PA. Summer of 2013