Karis VanGeffen (Ballet, Pre-pointe, Jazz)

Karis’ love of dance began at an early age as she grew up dancing at Giacobbe Academy of Dance where her mother taught. She was fortunate enough to study under the tutelage of Joseph Giacobbe, GwenDelle Giacobbe, Maria Giacobbe, and Richard Rholdon in ballet, jazz and tap. She has performed with Delta Festival Ballet in multiple productions of The Nutcracker, and in 2017 was chosen to perform the lead role of Clara. In 2019, Karis continued her training at The Dance Project, adding contemporary and hip hop to her dance studies, as well as dance on the competition circuit as a member of the DP Company.

Karis is currently working toward a teaching certification in ballet and jazz through Dance Masters of America and continues to dance professionally under the William Credo Agency as a backup dancer for the popular New Orleans-based cover band, The Mixed Nuts.

She is thankful for the opportunity to share her knowledge and love of dance with the students of The Dance Project, and is looking forward to her second year of teaching!