Karen Elliott’s passion for dance began at a young age at Carol Ehler Dance School in Houston, Texas, where she discovered her love for movement and expression. At Langham Creek High School, she was a member of the award-winning dance team, honing her leadership and performance skills under the mentorship of Cathy Raffield. She further refined her artistry dancing under Paula Abbott before leaving Houston to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Theater and Dance. She taught dance in Austin and surrounding areas for 16 years for D’Ette Ray Rice before realizing her dream of opening San Marcos Dance Studio, creating a space where dancers of all ages could grow their love of dance and shine. Through performances within the community, Karen and her students strive to ignite a profound love for dance as both an art form and a source of entertainment in today’s society. A proud member of the Texas Association of Teachers of Dancing for 28 years, Karen now serves on their Board of Directors, using her vision and experience to elevate the art of dance and inspire the next generation of performers.
She established San Marcos Dance Studio with the aim of fostering a vibrant and secure dance community that caters to students of all ages. Her unmatched love for teaching and dancing forms the foundation of the studio’s exceptional learning environment, where the primary goal is to provide exceptional instruction and cultivate technical artistry across all classes. With nearly three decades of experience in dance teaching, Karen has inspired countless young dancers to achieve their dance dreams.