Kat Wildish

Specialties

Classical Ballet Coaching Private | Simi Private | Competition | Master Class

Over four-​decades of teaching, Kat Wildish has developed a distinctive, systematic, and highly effective approach to dance education. In her Beginner & Intermediate Technique classes, correct placement is the root of Kat’s pedagogy. She gives a long barre and her entire syllabus is constructed to demand constant awareness of skeletal alignment, core strength, and proper weight distribution. Plus, repeatedly encourages. The intricacy of her combinations ensures that students learn to pick up steps quickly and accurately, so they’re ready for anything that another teacher, or an audition, might throw at them.

Kat’s classes are sparked by humor, but her witticisms always have a purpose: She takes her students seriously, whatever their technical level, A broad spectrum of ages and body types are represented, and she attracts an unusually high proportion of men.

She never forgets that ballet is a performing art. Her repertory workshops offer anybody, professionals to complete novices, the chance to rehearse and appear on stage of classical ballets. She also teaches four-​week Pointe/​Variations classes, exploring the fundamentals of pointe work and coaching dancers in classical variations.

And finally there is attitude. Kat teaches more than technique; she cultivates a sense of individual presence. Her classes promote balance, focus, and grace as students move through class and through life.

Meet the Business Owner

Kat W.

Business Owner

Kat Wildish grew up in Tampa, Florida. She received her training at the School of American Ballet on a two-​year full scholarship from the Ford Foundation. Kat is one of those rare ballerinas who has appeared with both New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. In 1981, George Balanchine hand-​picked her to perform in one of his last works, Adagio Lamentoso.

Kat has also been a guest artist with Zurich Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, The Eglevsky Ballet, Bernhard Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Fokine Ballet, the American Dance Machine, Dances Patrelle, and Louisville Ballet.

Kat is an ABT® Certified Teacher of Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She has also trained and mentored other teachers, notably for the Dance Educators of America and as a member of the U.S. Faculty of Education of the United Kingdom’s Royal Academy of Dance. She coaches dancers beginners to for major ballet competitions & gives a number of elite workshops worldwide.