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Building Resilient Artists

How Kathy Costa McKeown Transforms Challenge into Creative Power at DanceWorks Studios

At DanceWorks Studios, the stage is more than just a performance space — it’s a classroom for life. And at the heart of it all is Kathy Costa McKeown, whose leadership of the DanceWorks & Co. Teen Touring Company goes beyond choreography to nurture resilience, compassion, and community in every dancer she mentors.


One powerful example of this came to life when a dancer tore her ACL just two weeks before a major performance. Many would have assumed her role would be sidelined. But not at DanceWorks.


In a moving recollection from a recent podcast, Kathy described how she raced to the dancer’s side and said, “Sweetheart, we are going to make this work. If you are willing, we will do.” And they did.

A chair was woven into the performance, not as a prop of limitation — but as a symbol of adaptation and inclusion. The choreography shifted. Fellow dancers gently reached out to hold her hands. The result?


A performance that wasn’t just visually beautiful, but emotionally unforgettable.


“I remember it,” the podcast interviewer said. “It was so good.”

Moments like these are why DanceWorks Studios stands out. Kathy teaches her students that art, and life, isn’t about perfection, but perseverance. That even in the face of injury, disappointment, or fear, we can find new ways to move forward. That community is built not just in celebration, but in how we respond to one another in times of need.


For the young adults in the Teen Touring Company, these aren’t just lessons in dance. They’re lessons in how to navigate the world with creativity, courage, and compassion.


🎧 Listen to the clip below to hear Kathy share this unforgettable moment in her own words.


At DanceWorks, resilience takes center stage — and what a beautiful performance it is.




✨ Ready to experience the full episode and inspiring conversation?





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