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Bio

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Olivia Karenas brings a rare combination of artistic excellence and genuine heart to her role as Director of the LBP Dance Company and a LBP Instructor. A dedicated performer, educator, and mentor, Olivia has devoted her career to nurturing dancers of every age and ability level while fostering the kind of supportive community that makes dance truly transformative.

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Her comprehensive training began at Grand Valley State University, where she earned dual Bachelor's degrees in Dance and Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and International Business, plus a minor in French. During her time at GVSU, Olivia distinguished herself both in the studio and beyond, performing acclaimed works by renowned choreographers including Melissa Coyle, Roger Vanfleteran, Susan Brooker, and Richard Bowman. She trained under an exceptional faculty of master teachers including Carrie Brueck-Morris, Hannah Seidel, Samantha Shelton, Stephen Sanford, and Lynn Bowman, among others.

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Olivia's leadership abilities emerged early when she served as president of Momentum, the university's premier student dance organization. Her dedication to the art form was recognized with the prestigious Kenneway Love of Dance Scholarship, and in 2018, she had the honor of performing in the world premiere of "Sub-Merge: Raising Water Awareness Through Science, Music, and Dance," an innovative collaborative work that showcased her versatility as a performer.

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As a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor, Olivia is passionate about helping dancers develop not just technical skill, but genuine confidence and joy in movement. Her teaching philosophy centers on meeting each student where they are and providing the individual attention and encouragement they need to flourish.

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Her professional experience spans the breadth of the dance industry. Olivia has taught and adjudicated for the Universal Dance Association, sharing her expertise with dancers across the country. She has also served as a mentor at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in Austin, Texas, where she guided aspiring young artists through intensive training. Her business acumen has been an asset in various roles, from her previous position on the sales and marketing team of a specialized pointe shoe company to her current full-time role contributing to product development and design for a leading dance costume producer.

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What makes Olivia truly special as an educator is her ability to see the whole dancer—not just their technique, but their unique personality, dreams, and potential. As an LBP alumna herself, she understands the profound impact that caring mentorship can have on a young person's life. Her greatest joy comes from watching her students grow not only as performers but as confident, compassionate individuals who carry the values of discipline, creativity, and teamwork far beyond the studio walls.

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Under Olivia's thoughtful leadership, LBPDC continues to be a place where artistic excellence and genuine care create magic—where every dancer, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to discover their own unique gifts and share them with the world.