Putting My Heels Down | Kara Tatelbaum
It takes a true dreamer to become a dancer, but grit and a bit of luck are often necessary to navigate this challenging world and bring that dream to life. Many dancers know the feeling—when everything seems to be falling into place, the universe can throw unexpected hurdles your way. That’s been my own experience, and it’s part of why Putting My Heels Down struck such a deep chord with me.
Kara Tatelbaum is a multifaceted dancer, choreographer, teacher, coach, writer, and caregiver who brings her whole self into everything she does. She has built a remarkable career performing and teaching in NYC and abroad, earning her BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MFA in Choreography from SUNY Purchase. Early encouragement from her teachers led Kara to choreograph at a young age, eventually founding her own company, *independentdancemaker | Kara Tatelbaum, in 2000. Her work has been showcased at numerous venues, including DanceNow/NYC, the Gibney Center, Joyce SoHo, and internationally at the Shanghai Expo.
In this episode, I dive into my first-ever book review as we explore the incredible journey of New York’s own Kara Tatelbaum, who beautifully intertwines her personal story with universal experiences in a captivating read for dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Welcome to Episode 4 of Season 3, Putting My Heels Down.
Soundtracks:
- Birds - Tyler Twombly
- Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk
- 6:00 - DarkSunn
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Kara Tatelbaum
Author / Choreographer / Instructor
Kara Tatelbaum brings her whole self as dancer, choreographer, teacher, coach, writer, and caregiver to all of her endeavors.
She has enjoyed a wide-ranging performance and teaching career in NYC and abroad. She earned her BFA in Dance as a University Honors Scholar from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and MFA in Choreography with a Teaching Assistantship from The Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase.
Encouraged by her early teachers, Kara began choreographing at a young age. Her company independentdancemaker| Kara Tatelbaum was created in 2000 and presented by venues including Dancenow/NYC (where she also served as Managing Director), Dance New Amsterdam, Danspace Project, Duke Theater, Gibney Center, Joyce SoHo, Symphony Space, and the Shanghai Expo.
Kara also teaches dance extensively—from toddlers to seniors—her unique teaching style enhanced by her own experience with injury, recovery, and prevention. Kara created the dance program for School of Holy Child Rye (5th-12th grade) where she served as lead dance teacher for ten years. She’s also taught and held residencies at Ballet Arts Studio (Beacon, NY), Brown University, Dance New Amsterdam, Education Through Music, Gibney Dance Center, Millbrook School, NYSSSA, Ryeneck High School, Shattuck St.Mary School (MN), and SUNY Purchase.
After suffering from painful injuries, including two hip surgeries, Kara turned to Pilates to pay the bills. During this time, she earned her Mat Certification from Power Pilates (after initially failing due to a nasty margarita hangover) and Refor… Read More
