Dance | Fort Walton Beach, FL | Verve Dance Company

WHAT IS THE VERVE

The Verve is a Pre-Professional Dance Company located in the Panhandle of Florida. The Verve prepares dedicated and passionate dancers for a career in the Dance Arts. Pre-Professionals participate in a rigorous training program and performance ensembles to learn necessary skills that prepare them for entry into a university dance program and/or professional dance company. Classes are designed to train in the areas of technique in ballet, jazz and contemporary, artistic development and conditioning.

Additionally, Verve members travel to attend speciality workshops, where they compete as well as attend classes with industry professionals who offer guidance in audition preparation and technique.

Verve members are required to attend 8 hours of classes/rehearsals weekly. There are additional classes throughout the week focused on technique, improv development, combinations and conditioning that are also added to their rehearsal schedules. Rehearsals include some weekend and evening hours.

OWNER/DIRECTOR

Katie Li is a professional choreographer and educator based in her hometown of Niceville, Florida.

She started dancing at Niceville High School at the age of 14, and by her senior year she was named captain. During her time in high school, she trained with Amplified Performing Arts Center, and choreographed competitive solos for her peers. Shortly after graduation in 2007, she became the assistant coach and choreographer for Ruckel Middle School.

Katie on a dance line scholarship, under Joe Taylor at Northwest Florida State College, and choreographed a piece for the Dance Facets in 2009.

Nationally, Katie is an award winning choreographer and has has presented her work throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi where her work received critical acclaim.

She is a 5 time nominee for the People’s Choice Award at Kids Artistic Revue for the Industry Dance Awards.

The Verve, in its inaugural year the team has proved her choreography to again, be award winning. Both team ensembles as well as soloists, have competed and performed in many venues in the southeast winning high scores, high point and scholarships to conventions. She has been invited as a master teacher/ choreographer to various venues including schools as well as many private studios along the southeast coast.

Katie's class style is an an eclectic mix of pure athleticism and sheer technique with an emphasis on dynamics, musicality, emotion and performance. Her specialty is creating unique choreography that tells a story and engages the dancer and audience.