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Karis Bongiolatti started her dance career dancing at her aunt’s dance studio, Dori’s Dance Academy at a very young age. She studied jazz, ballet, tap, and acrobatics. Once her aunt had decided to retire, her family began to look for a new studio for Karis and her sister to continue practicing their passion. Karis started her career with Sparkle and Shine Dance at eleven years old and danced for seven years, six of which she was an important member of the SASD Competition Team. Assistant teaching classes since age twelve, Karis has wanted to become a dance teacher for as long as she can remember. At the height of her competitive career Karis, an advanced-level jazz/lyrical dancer, had been awarded numerous accolades for her accomplishments, including Title Awards, a variety of invitations to National Teams & Master Classes as well as Special Awards for her passion and technique, including Top Overall scores at regional and national competitions. She has performed at a wide array of events, including Citi Field (home of the Mets), Madison Square Garden, Grand Ole Opry, and numerous local venues as well. In her sophomore and junior years of high school, she performed in the schools' productions of West Side Story, and Guys and Dolls. In her Senior Year at Litchfield High School, she was awarded the first-ever SASD Student Teacher Internship in which she created a syllabus, ran a class, and created a Showcase Routine. 

            Karis is now a current alumni from Central Connecticut State University, majoring in dance education with a specialization in a Pre-K to 12 certification. She has received general training in the following styles of dance, ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, and more from Central. She has also been offered the opportunity to perform her solo choreographed by Emily Bufferd titled, Have I Sought or Am I Seeking. Some of these venues include the 2023 SoloDuo Festival at Dixon Place and the 2023 National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy Summit in Newport Rode Island. In the spring of 2023, she also received the Demetra Daniel Perrelli Scholarship Award, “In recognition of outstanding dance performance and participation in the University’s dance education program.” In the spring of 2025 Karis received the Major of the Year Award from SHAPE America, acknowledges outstanding undergraduate students in the fields of health, physical education, recreation, and dance. "It honors student s who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service within their respective fields." Karis finished her college degree graduating with honors in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. 

            Karis currently works at two recreational/competition studios in Connecticut. The first is Sparkle and Shine Dance. Where she teaches tap, ballet, acrobatics, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and line dancing. She has worked from the earliest ages to the eldest ages, starting at two years old, and working all the way up to adult dance classes. At SASD she has the responsibility of choreographing competitive routines, these include solos, duets, trios, and large groups. The second studio is the Deborah Dance workshop. Where she teaches pre-hip-hop and contemporary. She also choreographs two routines for their competition team. In addition to working at these dance studios, Karis has just been offered a job teaching line dancing on Saturday nights for Premier Entertainment.  

     When she’s not working or studying, she can be found spending quality time with her family. Karis is always up for a new adventure and loves to explore. She has recently found a passion for line dancing and is almost always out dancing the night away.