معرفی
Karen Potter is Professor of Dance and founding Chair of the Department of Dance at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). She received the John S. Diekhoff Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2020) and Graduate Mentoring (2015), and served as Director of CWRU's Dance Program for 12 years before establishing the department. With a 14-year tenure at the Erick Hawkins Dance Company in New York and extensive international experience as a performer, teacher, and choreographer, she has taught at festivals/conferences in 15+ countries and served as a U.S. Arts Specialist in Turkey. Potter co-founded CWRU's Dance Wellness Program and has secured multiple W.P. Jones Presidential Grants and a Baker-Nord Grant for her work.
- Education: Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Teaching from Sam Houston State University
Her research focuses on dance pedagogy, choreography, and interdisciplinary applications of dance medicine. As Chair of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS) Education Committee, she developed screening protocols and educational modules adopted by institutions globally. Her costume design work complements performance innovation, notably in collaborations like 'Kinetic Shadows' (technology-integrated dance).
- Distinguished Diekhoff Award for Graduate Teaching (2020)
- Diekhoff Award for Graduate Mentoring (2015)
- Glennan Fellow recognition
- Northern Ohio Live Honorable Mention for artistic contributions
Potter mentors both graduate and undergraduate students while serving as advisor for multiple dance clubs. Through her leadership, she has established dance wellness programs at Ohio State University, Texas A&M, and other institutions. Her professional roles include board memberships with OhioDance and Union Street Dance, and founding Dance Umbrella of Austin.
