About Us
Hi! I’m Katie Kind
Katie Kind, founder of Kind Performing Arts, LLC, has been teaching dance and music in the capital district for over 25 years. Katie attended the Music Certificate program at SCCC and holds a degree in Dance/Fine Arts from Dean College. She was also a Licensed Kindermusik Educator and Vocal instructor for many years. After her studies, Katie (known to many as Miss Katie) had the opportunity to travel to different areas of the world in order to perform in different dinner theater, theme park and cruise line venues with Encore International and Paramount Productions. She is also a local wedding/special events singer and has performed with some of the area’s talented musicians.
Katie has a passion for the arts and enjoys spreading her love of dance and music to all of the students she teaches. By providing exceptional instruction in small class setting, Katie’s mission is to allow her students to learn and grow in an environment that is educational, fun, creative and safe. She resides in Slingerlands with her husband and five children. Ms. Katie explained, ” Opening the doors to Kind Performing Arts has been a dream of mine since I was a child. The excitement of performing in one of my earlier recitals and serve as a role model helping the younger dancers backstage is where it all started. It has been heart warming for me to watch the program flourish over the years. I am extremely grateful to be able to do what I love and am thankful to the local families that give me the support and the opportunity to teach their children”.
Meet the team
Our Talented Teachers
Ms. Shannon
Ms. Shannon has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She graduated from Roger Williams University with a degree in Mathematics and Dance and Performance Studies. After college she performed professionally with Nacre Dance and Beth Facteau. Teaching she is able to pass along her love of dance to the next generation of dancers! Ms. Shannon believes in positive reinforcement, play, and consistency; teaching using visualization, storytelling, and patience. Ms. Shannon is also a math teacher, momma of three, and in her spare time likes to crochet!
Ms. Kat
Miss Kat has been dancing since the age of three and has trained in a variety of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and kickline. In 2023, she took her first ballroom dance lesson and immediately fell in love. She progressed quickly and began successfully competing, showcasing both her skill and dedication.
Outside of the studio, Miss Kat is a Registered Dietitian with her Masters in Nutrition and a passion for health, wellness, and helping others succeed.
Returning to the studio as a student reignited her passion for teaching. She is thrilled to be part of the Kind Performing Arts family, where she enjoys inspiring students to grow in confidence, technique, and their love of dance.
Ms. Michele
Michele discovered her love of dance at the age of five and still remembers the magic of putting on her very first tutu. That early joy sparked a lifelong passion for movement and teaching. Michele earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she was a member of the university’s Flag and Dance Corps for the marching band. Since 2008, she has been inspiring young dancers in New York’s Capital District by teaching creative movement, music, ballet, and tap.
Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the guidance of positive mentors, the experience of raising her three daughters, and years of learning through practice. She believes children thrive when they feel seen, valued, and safe, and when learning is centered around joyful, positive play. Michele brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a nurturing approach to every class, creating an environment where each child can build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance.
Miss Sammy
Sammy has been dancing at Kind since she was 3 years old, when our doors first opened. She is currently a Senior at Bethlehem Central High School with years of experience in the Performing Arts industry. Some of her local school and theater roles and highlights include, Dorothy (BCMS/Wizard of Oz), Tiger Lily (Playhouse Stage/Peter Pan), Jaybird (Playhouse Stage/HONK), Virtue (BCHS/Anything Goes), Featured Dancer (SLOC/Mean Girls), Sebastian (BCHS/Little Mermaid), Simeon (Playhouse Stage/Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream-coat). Miss Sammy has also had the opportunity to appear in various professional movie/TV credits including, “Truth about Santa Clause”, “Plot Against America” and “Kids Say the Funniest Things”. She is excited to draw from her experiences to inspire and teach the students of Kind Performing Arts.
Ms. Janelle
Ms. Janelle has been teaching hip hop at Kind for three years. In high school, she was a member of the cheer team where she had the opportunity to choreograph dance routines. She attended Siena College where she was a member of the Dance team performing at basketball, football and lacrosse events for 4 years. She went on to get her masters degree from Sage in school counseling. She became a certified group fitness instructor in 2007 and began teaching classes at Vent fitness where she choreographed workouts to motivating and popular music. Teaching hip hop/jazz is another opportunity for her to share her love for dance, music and fun choreography with her students while nurturing confidence and joy! Ms. Janelle lives with her 3 children and husband and works as a school counselor at Westmere Elementary school in Guilderland.
Ms. Meighan
Meighan has been working as a piano and voice instructor in the capital district for close to 25 years.
She has an AS in voice performance, and a BA in Liberal Arts with concentrations in music and psychology. In addition to teaching, Meighan has performed as a church choir section leader, a contemporary worship band leader, a wedding and special events soloist, and has been in numerous theater productions. Meighan loves assisting budding musicians in building their technique, and deepening their love of music!
Mr. Doug
James Douglas Esmond started playing the guitar in his teens. He received his Bachelor’s of Music Theory and Classical Guitar performance from Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y. He teaches Guitar, Piano, Ukelele, Voice and Drums at Kind Studios in Voorheesville, N.Y. In addition to teaching he is a Composer and Arranger. He currently serves as the Organist/Cantor/Music Director at Holy Family Catholic Church in Little Falls N.Y. He has performed in many capacities, including as a soloist, doing pit work in the area and as an accompanist. He and his wife Meighan reside in Guilderland N.Y. with their daughters Evelyn and Isla.