Kara Fabina

Dance Educator | Performer | DJ | Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO

Contact Me

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dance educator, performer, and DJ with 15+ years of professional experience and over three decades of training across multiple dance styles (since 1995). Specializing in blues, fusion, and swing, with extensive teaching experience at universities, international festivals, and community venues. Award-winning competitor with film and media credits, and a seasoned organizer within major dance communities.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

  • Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Psychology
  • Specialized Dance Educator Training (2012)
  • Ongoing multidisciplinary dance training (1995–present)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University Instruction & Guest Lecturer

  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2013–2018)
  • Colorado School of Mines (2019)
  • Goucher College (2009–2011)
  • Towson University (2010–2011)
  • University of Delaware (2010–2011)
  • Penn State University (2010)
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2010)
  • Virginia Tech (2011)
  • Howard Community College (2008)

Community & Venue Instruction

Extensive teaching across national dance venues including:
Greenbelt Community Center • Enoch Pratt Library • York Swing Dance Club • Lancaster Swing Dance Club • Capital Blues • Philly Swing Society • Chicken Swing • Powerhouse Blues • Hot Club of Raleigh • Swing in the Springs • Mercury Cafe/The Pearl • Front Range Swing & Blues • Hot Night Fusion Dance • Andante Blues • Swing at the Loft • Code Blue • HEX • Lindy Lions • Fusion Underground • Blues Union • FNB-NYC • Avalon Ballroom • Denver Turnverein • Blues Dance New York • Baltimore Polish Club • Shimmy Shakin’ Blues • Tuesday Fuseday • Legato Blues • Movement Arts Community Studios • Ballroom Brilliance/All About Dance • Glen Echo Ballroom (and more)

FEATURED WORKSHOPS & INTERNATIONAL TEACHING (2010–Present)

Recent & International Highlights

  • Montreal Bagel & Blues (2026, Montreal, QC) – Partner: Jen Delk
  • Hot Night Fusion Weekend (2024–2025, Denver, CO)
  • Express Track Blues: Detour (2025, New York, NY) – Partner: Jen Delk
  • Trilogy Swing: Blues & Fusion (2025, Raleigh, NC)
  • Korea Blues Festival / Feelin’ Blues (2023, South Korea)
  • Blues Fever (2022, Vienna, Austria) – Guest Judge
  • Lindy on the Ice (2018, Iceland)

National Festivals & Major Workshops

  • PBEX (2015–2017, Portland, OR)
  • Level Up (2015, San Francisco, CA)
  • ABQFX (2015, Albuquerque, NM)
  • Austin Blues Workshop (2015, Austin, TX)
  • LA Struttin’ Workshop (2016, Los Angeles, CA)
  • Choreo Project (2017, Boston, MA)
  • BamBloozled (2012, 2017, Washington, DC)
  • Red Hot Blues & BBQ (2018–2019, Washington, DC)
  • Mile High Blues (2014, 2017, 2019, Denver, CO)
  • Phoenix Blues Workshop (2017–2018, Phoenix, AZ)
  • Lindy Diversion (2013, 2017, Denver, CO)

Early Featured Teaching (2011–2013)

  • Steel City Blues (2011) – Clinic Instructor
  • Advanced Lindy & Blues Workshop (2011, Philadelphia, PA)
  • Bringing Up Blues (2011, Baltimore, MD)
  • Lindy Hop Stylings (2011, Blacksburg, VA)
  • Basic Blues @ Montreal Bagel & Blues (2011, Montreal, QC)
  • Lindustrial Revolution (2012, Charlottesville, VA)
  • Snowbound Blues (2012, Rochester, NY)
  • DC Blues Workshop (2012, Washington, DC)
  • Get Your Mojo Workin’ (2012, Baltimore, MD)
  • Summer Blues Festival (2012, Denver, CO)
  • Denver Blues Workshops (2013, Denver, CO)
  • Snowball (2013, Greeley, CO)

Additional Workshops & Residencies

Numerous additional invited workshops, intensives, and residencies across the U.S. and internationally (2011–present), including collaborations with leading artists in both partnered and solo instruction formats.

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Film & Media

  • The Man Who Changed The World (2025) – Featured dancer (recording)
  • Music Video (2025) – Featured dancer for artist Mandalyn Blair
  • MTV Brazil Music Video (2008) – Featured dancer (recording)
  • Mountain Dew Extreme Sports Production (2008) – Featured dancer (recording)
  • NJ Snowboarding Competition – After-Party (2008) – Featured performance

Teams + Stage & Festival Performances (Selected)

  • Kennedy Center (2008)
  • Artscape (2007–2008)
  • Starscape (2008)
  • Guardian Dance Company (2007-2009)
  • Lindy Focus (2008–2009)
  • Effervescent Collective (2010)
  • Charm City Swing (2010)
  • Red Hot BBQ & Blues (2010, 2012)
  • Bambloozled (2011–2012)
  • Blues Shout (2012)
  • Snowbound Blues (2012)
  • Diamond Dolls (2014–2015)
  • Cross-Town Stompers (2015)
  • Rose City Blues (2016)
  • Ent Center for the Arts (2019)
  • Denver Turnverein (2023)
  • 1940s Winter Ball (2023)
  • Multiple Flash Mobs (2017-2023)

DJ EXPERIENCE

National and regional DJ with long-term residencies and major event bookings:

  • Capital Blues (2010–2025)
  • Shimmy Shakin’ Blues @ The Pearl (2013–2025) – and previous Blues Nights at the Mercury Cafe/Pearl
  • Hot Night Fusion Weekend (2016–2025)
  • Lindy on the Rocks (2016–2025)
  • Lindy Diversion (2017–2025)
  • Andante Blues (2014–2020)
  • The Loft (2012–2019)
  • Mile High Blues (2016–2019)
  • PBEX (2016)
  • Steel City Blues (2017)
  • Austin Blues Party (2017)
  • Red Hot Blues & BBQ (2018)
  • Swing Nights @ The Merc (2021–2025)
  • Legato Blues (2025)
  • Additional events nationwide (2010–present)

ORGANIZATIONAL & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

ILHC • Bambloozled • Red Hot Blues & BBQ • Capital Blues • Front Range Swing & Blues • Cross-Town Stompers • Andante Blues • PBEX • Lindy Diversion • Hot Night Fusion Weekend • Lindy on the Rocks • CMDance • Signifyin’ Blues • Lindy Focus • Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout • Southwest Showdown* • SlowBall • Blues Fever* • Legato Blues*

*Consultant

COMPETITIONS & AWARDS (SELECTED)

Recent Achievements

  • 1st Place – DJ Competition, Express Track Blues: Detour (2025)
  • 1st Place – Mix & Match, Breaking Bal (2024)
  • 2nd Place – Mix & Match, Blues Muse (2024)
  • 1st Place – Mix & Match, Blues Muse (2023)
  • 1st Place – Strictly & the Mix & Match, Blues Fever, Vienna (2022)
  • Semi-Finalist – Solo Riffin’, Blues Fever (2022)

Professional & Invitational Highlights (2016–2019)

  • 1st Place – Invitational Jill Competition, Blues Muse (2018)
  • 1st Place – Strictly, Austin Blues Party (2018)
  • 1st Place – Solo Competition, Rain City Blues (2016)
  • 1st Place – All-Star Strictly, Rain City Blues (2016)
  • 1st Place – Strictly, Austin Blues Party (2016)
  • 1st Place – Social Dance Competition, Austin Blues Party (2017)
  • 1st Place – Mix & Match, Sweet Molasses Blues (2017)
  • 1st Place – Solo Competition, Rose City Blues (2017)
  • 1st Place – Riffin’ Competition, Steel City Blues (2017)

All-Star & Championship-Level Wins (2014–2015)

  • 1st Place – Mix & Match, North Star Blues (2015)
  • 1st Place – Strictly Blues, Austin Blues Party (2015)
  • 1st Place – Mix & Match, Cowtown Jamborama (2014)
  • 1st Place – Strictly Any-Swing Goes, Cowtown Jamborama (2014)
  • 1st Place – Mix & Match, North Star Blues (2014)

Breakthrough Competitive Success (2011–2013)

  • 1st Place – Jack & Jill, Lindustrial Revolution (2011)
  • 1st Place – Jack & Jill, Blues Blaze (2011)
  • 1st Place – Champions Jack & Jill, Blues Blaze (2011)
  • 1st Place – Strictly Blues, North Star Blues (2011)
  • 1st Place – Jack & Jill, CHEX5 (2011)
  • 1st Place – Jill Competition, Blues Muse (2011)
  • 1st Place – Open Jack & Jill, Bambloozled (2011)
  • 1st Place – Jack & Jill, Feeling Blues (2012)
  • 1st Place – Open Jack & Jill, Hawkeye Swing Festival (2012)
  • 1st Place – Mix & Match (Switch), BABBLE (2012)
  • 1st Place – Follow Pro-Am, Blues Shout! (2012)

Early Career Highlight

  • 1st Place – Jack & Jill, Steel City Blues (2009)
    (First major competition win)

Additional Recognition

  • Multiple Invitational, All-Star, and Championship finalist placements across:
    Blues Shout • Mile High Blues • PBEX • Lindy Focus • ILHC • Snowbound Blues • Rose City Blues
  • Placements across Mix & Match, Strictly, Solo, Choreography, and Team divisions
  • Recognized competitor in both lead and follow roles

INSTRUCTOR SPECIALTIES

Dance Instruction & Practice

  • Primary styles: Blues, Fusion, and Lindy Hop (teaching and performing both lead and follow roles)
  • Specialized in struttin’, ballroomin’, and funky butt blues idioms
  • Emphasis on body articulation, intentional movement choices, and musical listening skills
  • Cross-disciplinary approach integrating influences from hip-hop, funk styles, ballet, modern, and tap
  • Experienced in translating concepts across dance forms to support fusion and interdisciplinary dancers

Pedagogy & Teaching Approach

  • Integrates pedagogical frameworks including Bloom’s Taxonomy and progressive skill-building methodologies
  • Blends technical instruction, structured creative exploration, somatic practices, and student-led discussion
  • Designs classes that are simultaneously accessible to beginners and challenging for experienced dancers
  • Strong focus on developing musicality, improvisation, and partner communication as core competencies
  • Curriculum design experience for ongoing programs, workshops, and instructor trainings

Cultural & Community-Centered Teaching

  • Centers African American cultural roots of blues and lindy hop in instruction at all levels
  • Incorporates historical and cultural context as a core component of every class
  • Emphasizes ethical engagement with Black dance traditions, particularly within fusion spaces
  • Advocates for role fluidity and inclusivity (lead/follow not gender-bound)

Accessibility & Inclusive Practices

  • Designs classes to be neurodivergent-friendly, sensory-aware, and adaptable to diverse learning needs
  • Emphasis on functional, sustainable movement, including support for hypermobile dancers
  • Committed to creating inclusive, welcoming environments for dancers of varied backgrounds and abilities

Community Leadership & Mentorship

  • Mentored emerging instructors and led instructor training programs
  • Built and rebuilt local dance communities, including post-pandemic scene development in Colorado Springs
  • Extensive experience developing curricula and supporting long-term community growth

DJ SPECIALTIES

Style & Musical Identity

  • Eclectic DJ blending blues, jazz, lindy hop, R&B, soul, and fusion
  • Known for balancing high-energy, bass or funk-driven sets with atmospheric, mood-based experiences
  • Strong preference and depth in soul music, integrated across sets when possible

Musical Skills

  • Accomplished in musical storytelling and shaping emotional arcs across a night
  • Highly responsive to the room, with a focus on maintaining engagement and flow
  • Skilled at energy modulation to sustain dance floor participation over long events

Technical & Performance Experience

  • DJ for competitions, performances, social dances, and themed events
  • Experienced in live mixing and real-time adaptation based on dancer response
  • Continuously curates and always integrates new music into sets

MEDIA & PORTFOLIO

  • Music Video (2025) – Mandalyn Blair (link)
  • Film – The Man Who Changed The World (link when released)
  • Performance Reel (link)

REFERENCES

Available upon request – (Full Dance Resume)