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 director, Gordon, including Brigadoon, Robber Bridegroom, Kiss Me Kate, and Promise Promises, and for Curtain Call Shakespeare in Love, 1776 (twice), Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady, Forum, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler, and Newsies.  She has been one of the professional dance partners in 3 DWTS and was the choreographer of the last 3 Trinity Catholic musicals.  She and Gordon are the proud parents of Sergeant Christopher Casagrande, currently in a Tactical Air Control Party unit with the USAF, and formerly a Sergeant in the CT National Guard, who served as a rifleman in a combat infantry unit in the mountains of Afghanistan and most recently was deployed in Baghdad.  When not teaching dance or choreographing she can usually be found with St. Elmo’s Fire, her 27 year old half thoroughbred half quarter horse, who helps keep her sane.