our director

Kathy Follensbee

Kathy Follensbee received a B.S. in Physical Education from Florida State University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography from Jacksonville University. She is the full time Dance Director at Dr. Phillips Visual & Performing Arts High School (DPHS – VPA) as well as an adjunct professor of Ballet & Modern with Valencia College. Kathy is a past President of Florida Dance Masters (FDM) and the founding Secretary for the Florida Dance Education Organization (FDEO). Kathy continues to serve on both boards serving as the Education Chair for FDM and the President for FDEO. She has served on writing teams for the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, Florida’s Race To The Top and Orange County Public Schools Common Final Exams (CFEs) for Dance. Kathy has also served with the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards for high schools across America in the Model Cornerstone Assessment for Dance Benchmarking. As the Dance Director of the DPHS–VPA, her students have won many honors and are now collegiate dancers, performers and teachers across the nation. Kathy has been named "Who’s Who in America's Teachers" ten times; only 1% of teachers are awarded this honor more than once, and is a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award. Kathy has an eclectic background in movement. She was a Synchronized Swimmer and Dancer for the Louisiana World's Fair Exposition in 1984, and is a Master's National Synchronized Swimming Champion as well. She has judged dance contests and taught master classes throughout Florida and New York. With 39 years of service in the public school educational system, Kathy is passionate about bringing Dance Arts to all through a curriculum focusing on creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication skills that will serve all dancers for success in today’s global society. Kathy has been married for 37 years to Bruce, a National Swim Coach of the Year and Hall of Fame Coach.