At KGSD, our teachers are more than instructors. They are mentors, role models, and leaders. Each member of our team is dedicated to creating a positive, supportive environment where every dancer can grow in confidence and skill.
Miss Karen Gronsky
Karen Gronsky has been a choreographer/teacher for the past twenty seven years. Her career in dance began in early childhood in her hometown of Scranton, Pa. She has received training at the Ballet Theatre of Scranton, Civic Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center and Steps NYC. Karen graduated from Temple University's Tyler School of Art. She has studied with Gregory Hines, Frank Hatchet, MTV's Wade Robson, Bev Brown, Brian Freeman, Tricia Miranda, Gus Giordano, just to name a few. She is a professional member of Dance Educators of America and The Professional Dance Teacher Association.
Karen also won the First Annual E.S.P.Y Award for her Integrated Special Needs Program. Karen Gronsky School of Dance has been featured of WBRE's Health Beat for her work with Pediatric Obesity Clinic at Geisinger Medical Center.
In addition to teaching and choreographing, Karen is an accomplished feature performer. She has directed a show with Sesame Street's and Broadway's " Bring in the Noise Bring in the Funk" tap star, Savion Glover. Karen continues her training in NYC at the Broadway Dance Center.
Miss Marissa Patynski
Marissa Patynski has been dancing at Karen Gronsky school of dance since the age of three.
She graduated from Danville High School in 2019. She attended Hofstra University Honors College where she was on the Dean’s list as a freshman both fall and spring semesters. While in New York she participated in dance clubs on campus and was an active dancer at Broadway Dance Center. She also was apart of New York City's Urban Dance League from 2019-2020. She decided to transfer to Bloomsburg University Honors to pursue an Elementary Education Degree. Marissa is now at 4th grade teacher at Williamsport School District.
Marissa danced for 15 years with Miss Karen and an active assistant.
She was a member of the KGSD competition team for over 7 years where she won many awards and titles. While dancing at KGSD she also was awarded Leadership and Recognition Scholarships at Pulse Dance Convention. She was also chosen as a dancer for the opening and closing numbers at The Pulse. She was a Leadership Scholar Award winner at Jump Dance Convention, and also won the Access Broadway Audition. Marissa has also had the opportunity to dance for DNCE, Andy Grammar, and Flo Rida. Dancing has taken her to the State and National stage for the National American Miss Pageant. As a finalist at both the State and National level she has taken 1st place at the State level in talent, modeling, and acting, and the top 10 at Nationals in contemporary jazz.
Miss Marissa is excited to be teaching daily at KGSD as well as becoming the company director for KGSD's competition team!
Miss Katie Huber
Miss Katie began dancing at just 3 years old and has been passionate about it ever since! She’s a proud KGSD alum who started helping Miss Karen teach while she was in college, and now she’s thrilled to be back in the studio sharing her love of dance.
Outside the studio, Miss Katie is an Operating Room nurse and a busy mom to Oakley and Duke—plus, Oakley is carrying on the tradition as a KGSD dancer!
She’s so excited to be back in the studio sharing her love of dance… and as a true Disney fanatic, you can bet there will be plenty of magical Disney tunes in her classes.
She will be teaching some ballet classes at KGSD! Fun fact Miss Katie was Miss Marissa’s ballet teacher as well!
What Makes Our Teachers Different
Every dancer is seen, valued, and encouraged.
Years of training and real performance experience.
Passionate teaching from the heart, not just technique.
