Karen Casagrande (Choreographer) Karen holds a B.F.A in dance from Stephens College and was the owner of Hot Shoes Dance Studio in Ridgefield for 29 years. In New York, she studied with Lee Theodore at The American Dance Machine and with Charles Kelley and Frank Hatchett at the Broadway Dance Center. She has choreographed over 35 musicals, many with her husband Gordon as the director. Her credits include Brigadoon, Robber Bridegroom, Kiss Me Kate, and Promise Promises, and for Curtain Call Fiddler (twice), Shakespeare in Love, 1776 (3 times), Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, Forum, Guys & Dolls, Newsies and She Loves Me.  She was one of the professional dance partners in 3 of Curtain Call’s DWTS and was the choreographer of the last 3 Trinity Catholic musicals.  She and Gordon are the very proud parents of Christopher, a sergeant in the US Air Force, serving in a Tactical Air Control Party unit and an Afghanistan & Iraq combat veteran.  When not teaching dance or choreographing she can usually be found with St. Elmo’s Fire, her 31 year old half thoroughbred half quarter horse, who helps keep her sane.