Director
Sharon Carruthers
Teaching dance has been my dream since I put on my first pair of tap and ballet shoes at the age of four. I danced my entire childhood and began assisting during my high school years. After graduating from St. Gabriel in 1979 and Mercy Academy in 1983, I began studying Psychology at Bellarmine University. I graduated from the University of Louisville with a BA in Psychology and then again in 1988 with a BA in Communications. I continued to teach dance part time as I explored other professions, including managing a restaurant and working at WAVE Television. But my dance dream never died. I opened That’s Dancing in February of 1991 with only a handful of students. I moved to this current location in June of 1999 after ‘outgrowing’ the first studio. I have the best ‘dance husband’ and ‘dance dad’ in Barry who helps out in every way he can. Our three daughters, Kaci, Kaylee and Kenzie, love dance as well (thank goodness!). I have the best job in town! I love to dance and I love to teach. I take great pride in all of my students and my teachers. Many of my teachers have been with me since they were toddlers themselves! Owning That’s Dancing carries with it an unbelievable amount of work, but because of such wonderful teachers and staff, helpful parents, and eager students, my job is very rewarding. I hope that That’s Dancing will forever be a ‘happy dance’ in your child’s life.
Instructors
Ms. Robin
I am very proud to be the ballet director here at That’s Dancing. I have been teaching here since 1995. I have danced professionally and taught throughout the U.S., and have chosen this studio to pursue my teaching career. I enjoy working with Sharon and the other instructors here. I especially love the students! I have watched the dancer’s appreciation of ballet grow over the years and I am very proud of the technical and artistic accomplishments. I am originally from Hollywood, FL., where I began my ballet training. I joined the Louisville Ballet in 1986 where I danced professionally for 15 years. I’m married to Steve Heckman and have three beautiful children, Savannah, Stevie, and Jake. I look forward to another rewarding year at That’s Dancing.
Ms. Rachel
I’ve been dancing at That’s Dancing since 1992. I have been an instructor since 2002 and for many years before that I was an assistant for a number of classes. I have taught many age groups and ability levels; From three year olds to adults! During the years when I was a student here, I had many main character roles in our ballet productions. My most known role was that of Buzz Lightyear in our Ballet Production of Toy Story. I have also performed in Walt Disney World twice and as half time entertainment at a University of Louisville football game. In my life outside of dance, I currently am working a a Physical Therapist Assistant with First Steps of Louisville and Frazier Rehabilitation. I am a 2011 graduate of JCTC’s PTA program, and a 2008 graduate of Bellarmine University with a BA in Psychology. I am also a 2004 Assumption High School and a 2000 St. Gabriel Alumni. I am very excited to be teaching another year and hope this is a very productive, fun-filled year!
Ms. Amy
I’ve been with That’s Dancing since 1992, when I began dancing at the age of three. I began teaching in 2004 and still love it. I am passionate about seeing my students succeed both in and outside of dance. I hope to have an impact on their lives as much as they impact mine. I graduated from the University of Louisville in 2016 with a BFA in Graphic Design and in 2011 with a BA in Marketing. I am also a 2007 graduate of Assumption High School. I work full-time as a Graphic Designer for Fieldtrip. That’s Dancing has a special place in my heart because it was a wonderful environment to grow up in. This community is the reason I continue to teach year after year.
Ms. Lauren H.
I’ve been teaching at That’s Dancing since 2006. I have had the privilege of teaching tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical to best students of all ages! That’s Dancing has been a part of my life since I began taking classes here in the summer of 1996. Each year has brought new excitement and fun with each new group of students. Teaching dance is my favorite thing to do! I married my wonderful husband Michael on July 22, 2017. Together we enjoy cooking, watching UK sports, and spending time on the Ohio river! When I’m not teaching dance, I work as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach at Milestone Wellness Center.
Ms. Colleen
I’ve been at That’s Dancing as a student since 1999, and then started teaching in 2008. Through the years, I have trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical theater, hip-hop, and pom, tap being what I always enjoyed most. I participated in the Rockette Summer Intensive and the Chicago Human Rhythm Festival, which helped me to gain more experience in performing and choreographing various styles of tap. I was a member of the Bellarmine University Dance Team for 4 years where I served as a team captain my junior and senior year. I then graduated from Bellarmine University in 2017 with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy and am currently working as a physical therapist. Though I loved performing and competing at That’s Dancing and Bellarmine, teaching has always been a passion of mine. My students never cease to inspire me, and I hope to always push them to be their absolute best. I love working with young dancers and watching them gain confidence, recognize their strengths, and discover their own passion for dance. The students and families at That’s Dancing create an environment that is unparalleled, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it!
Ms. Katie
I’ve been with That’s Dancing since 1995. I’m a 2006 graduate of Saint Gabriel School and a 2010 graduate of Assumption High School. I have experienced tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop at That’s Dancing and have to say jazz is my favorite. My last ballet production was Toy Story and I had the privilege of being Ham and it was a moment I will never forget. I graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2014. I’m currently back in school to become a Preschool teacher. Being able to teach at That’s Dancing is such an honor and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. That’s Dancing is my home away from home!
Ms. Marissa
I began dancing in 1995 at the age of three, and continued to dance until I moved away for college in 2010. I have practiced multiple styles of dance ranging from tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, pointe, and even modern. (I love all styles of dance!) I was in The Louisville Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker as a flower fairy and also as a soldier. My first lead role in the ballet at the studio was in 2001 when I was Gretl in The Sound of Music. My last lead role was Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 2 in 2010. I started teaching as an assistant around 2004 and eventually taught my own classes until 2010. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Arts in Interior Design, I moved back to Louisville and began teaching dance again! The studio has always been my second home, and I am glad to be back.
Ms. Allie
I’ve been dancing since I was three years old and began teaching at That’s Dancing in 2017. I enjoy all styles of dance but my passion lies in tap and jazz. I graduated from Bellarmine University in 2017 with a BA in Psychology and minors in Exercise Science and Spanish. I was a member of the BU Dance Team for four years and served as the Fitness Captain my junior year and the Line Captain my senior year. I was also a part of the 2015 National Championship team! I am currently working towards my Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders at the University of Louisville with the intention of pursuing a career as a Speech Therapist.
Ms. Holly
I’ve been dancing here at That’s Dancing since 2002, when I was 6 years old. I started competing on our competition teams right after that. I started teaching dance in 2012, after being an assistant teacher for many years. During my time dancing here at That’s Dancing, I was a main character in several of our ballet productions. Some of my most memorable roles were Al (Toy Story 2, 2010), the Sultan (Aladdin, 2013), and the Stepmother (Cinderella, 2014). I am very passionate about dance and teaching others how to dance. Even after I graduated from Assumption High School in 2014, I continued competing for the studio for a year. I also joined the Bellarmine University Dance Team. My passion for dance still lives on, and I hope to share that with my students.
Ms. Kaci
I’ve been teaching at That’s Dancing since 2013. I took tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop for 17 years at That’s Dancing. I’m a sophomore at WKU, training to get my BA in dance and minor in social work and ASL. I love being able to still teach at the studio where I grew up and be able to share my love of dance with the kids I teach.
Ms. Hannah
I began dancing at That’s Dancing in 2000 when I was 3 and began to teach here in 2013. Dance has always been one of my biggest passions in life and I love being able to teach my students everything about it and watch them grow into beautiful young dancers! Over my years at the studio I’ve learned many styles of dance, tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop, which I now get to teach in return. Currently I attend the University of Louisville, majoring in graphic design. I love That’s Dancing because it is a supportive and encouraging environment for all students! It has been such an important part of my life and I love being able to share my passion with my students!
Ms. Carsyn
I’ve been dancing since 2003 and at That’s Dancing since 2012. I have also been teaching since 2016. I love dancing at That’s Dancing because everyone there is so nice and supportive and they are like my second family! I would say that my favorite style of dance is Jazz because it is so much fun and there are so many ways to make it different!
Ms. Jessie
I’ve been a student at That’s Dancing since 2008 and this is my second year teaching. I love dance and being a part of That’s Dancing because it’s like being a part of a second family. Everyone makes you feel so welcomed and like you belong. Becoming a teacher here has been something I’ve loved doing, I love how excited the kids get for dance and how eager they are to learn. That’s Dancing will always mean the world to me and be such a positive impact on my life.
Ms. Meredith
I’ve been dancing at That’s Dancing since 2003! My favorite style of dancing is jazz because I love how expressive you can be. I’ve been teaching since 2017. I love teaching here because I love being able to share my passion with others! Thats Dancing is such a positive place and I will always be able to call it home.
Ms. Morgan
I’ve been a That’s Dancing dancer since 2007! I started teaching in 2017 and have been an assistant teacher since 2015. I love working with and inspiring young dancers to be just like the “big girls.” That’s Dancing has become a second home to me, and the people have become my second family. Dance will always be a huge part of my life, and my experience at That’s Dancing will always hold a special place in my heart.
Ms. Sydney
I’ve been dancing since 2005 and I’ve been teaching since 2017. I love all styles of dance but I would have to say my favorite is lyrical because it’s a good way to express your feelings without using words. I love being a part of That’s Dancing because we are really like a family here and everyone is included.
Ms. Caroline
I’ve been dancing since 2006, and I’ve been teaching since 2017. My favorite style of dance is Lyrical, but I also love all the other styles. Teaching here is a great experience because I get the chance to show others how to do what I love! That’s Dancing is like a second home to me, and there’s no place I’d rather be!
Ms. Lauren K.
I’ve been dancing since 2005 at Thats Dancing. I started teaching in 2017 but have been assistant teaching since 2014. I love working with children and getting to experience dance through their eyes. I love That’s Dancing because of the positive atmosphere and the way my friends have become my family.
Ms. Averi
I’ve been dancing since 2003 at That’s Dancing and I have been teaching since 2017. I attend Manual High School and am a dance major at YPAS. I love every style of dance but my favorite is tap. That’s Dancing has been my second home since I was three years old and everyone is like family here, I wouldn’t want to have spent such a huge part of my life anywhere else!
Office Managers
Ms. Traci
Both of my daughters have been dancing at That’s Dancing for many years. My oldest daughter began dancing in 2005 and my youngest daughter began in 2006. The need arose in the 2016-2017 dance year for someone to work in the office, a few hours a week, and I gladly accepted the offer. I have gradually added more hours and am glad that I have the opportunity to be in the office to get to know more of the parents. In the summer of 2016, an adult tap class was formed. I started taking the class for the exercise. I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried the class because I have enjoyed the class exponentially and have a new found awe of what it takes for the students to excel in each of their dances. That’s Dancing is a wonderful place to have been a part of for many years. I look forward to more years to come. It truly is my home away from home. All the parents, staff, and kids are wonderful. I know it sounds cliché, but That’s Dancing really does feel like one large, happy family.
