Dancing Feet Studios

Dancing Feet Studios started by holding classes at the TTCC, Bristol Elementary School , and The Pines Community Center in Northfield, NH, prior to opening the studio. 

The studio in Bristol opened in June of 2008. Offering classes for all ages from 2 to adult in the styles of tap, ballet, tumbling, jazz and hip-hop,Barre AND MORE. Dancing Feet Studios offers classes through out the year, as well as dance camps and day programs. Studio moved to it's new location at 171 Fair St in Laconia fall of 2019 after taking over for Frates Dance Studio. 

"Dance is not a competition; it should be a learning experience in a fun, safe environment." - Katie LaRoche (Hill) 

Katie LaRoche -Owner/Instructor

 Katie LaRoche (Hill) graduated from Plymouth State University with a B.S in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Dance Education and Theatre Design, with a minor in Business, May of 2008.  She also recieved her Dance Pedagogy Certificate. 

Katie started teaching as a teacher assistant at a local studio, through 2002 -2004, and where she started teaching her own classes shortly after. She also started classes at the Pines Community Center, in Northfield in 2005. She also taught classes at the TTCC before graduating college, she then opened her studio in Bristol, NH in June of 2008. Where she had her studio for 11 years before moving it to Laconia and taking over for Frates Dance Studio. Katie Enjoys teaching kids and adults all styles of dance. 

She currently holds her Dance Teachers Club of Boston Certificate in Jazz and Tap. 

Sarah K. Gurnari -Dance Instructor

Sarah, long time resident of the Lakes Region, as been dancing for over 30 years. Sarah received her early dance training from Diane Rueffert of Diane’s Dance Academy in Gilford, NH, and from Joan Frates at Frates Creative Arts Center in Laconia, NH. Under the instruction of Jill Silverman, she achieved her BA in Dance from Dean College, and went on to dance in Hawaii with Norwegian Cruise Lines and Jean Ann Ryan Productions. Sarah also performed as a Guest Entertainer in large-scale magic shows as the lead magician’s assistant. Sarah has worked with many “famous faces” in the dance world. She had the opportunity to dance with and learn from Bruce Marks, Maurice Hines, Dance Alloy of Pittsburgh, Tauna Hunter of Ballet West, and Laura Alonso of the National Ballet of Cuba.   Sarah’s love of teaching brought her back to New Hampshire, where she began teaching for her childhood dance teacher at Encore Dance in Pittsfield, NH. Upon Diane’s retirement in 2013, Sarah acquired ownership and has been sharing her love of dance with Pittsfield and Barnstead area residents. She continues her dance education by attending Ms. Edra’s classes at Northeastern Ballet Theatre, and is excited for this new teaching opportunity at Dancing Feet Studios

Joan Frates - Adult Tap Instructor 

Joan has owned and operated the dance portion of Frates Creative Arts Center  for 25 years. However, Joan has been a dance educator for over 30 years!  She is a member of the The Dance Teachers Club of Boston, Inc. with the  American Society and Dance Masters of America. Holds a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from The University of Massachusetts. As an experienced educator and choreographer, her work has been seen all over the Lakes Region.  Over the years, she has choreographed for high schools, Streetcar Company, On Stage Theatre Company and Lakes Region Family Theater, to name a few. On or off stage Joan lights up a room with her energy, appreciated by students both young and old.  Her students have gone on to study dance at a number of different colleges and Universities and she is proud so many have gone on to become dance educators themselves! Joan is thankful to have a career she loves.