- T
- J
It seems only right that we begin “from the top, one more time”.
Karen Niewiadomski-Kinsey was born in Toledo, OH and graduated from Woodward High School. Karen went on to graduate from the University of Toledo and later married her soul mate in life, Will.
Karen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends while creating an enormous impact on the dance and theater community.
Karen spent her life graciously sharing her talents with our community. She was the epitome of a positive role model. Karen spent her days teaching dance theater to her high school students then afternoons, evenings, and weekends choreographing and teaching for many local high school’s musicals and community theaters all while managing, choreographing, and producing her own shows for her dance studio. While carrying on with all of this, she was still available for anyone in need; just a phone call away or a “lets meet up to talk”.
Karen taught so many how to dance. She taught proper form, technique, stage and prop etiquette, costuming, work ethic, and the list goes on. Her music and performances held meaning. Karen taught dance, but also how to dance from the heart. When Karen had to miss teaching a class, she would prepare plans by first going through the combinations and dances that needed to be taught for each class. She would then spend the majority of the time explaining how to teach certain steps or combinations to each student so everyone would understand it better or what terms to use to help them understand so they wouldn’t become frustrated, and if they did become frustrated remember “they are never allowed to say I can’t. You are only having difficulty at this time”. Karen pushed everyone to be their best, but she lived it too. Karen was always learning new techniques and steps and her creative forces were in constant motion.
Scrolling through stories and listening to conversations, it is apparent of the profound impact she had on so many lives. What may not be as well seen is the impact left with her as well. Spending much time with Karen, we can attest that she remembers everyone of her students and a story for each one. Whether you shared many conversations with her or not I promise you were remembered. She cared about each and everyone of her “students”. Karen taught us to never give up and keep pushing; do it one more time. (Or one more time;let's end on a good note.) It doesn’t matter where you stand on stage, everyone can be seen. Karen taught with passion and so much care. Yes, Karen taught dance, but what she really taught was so much more. Karen was truly a one of a kind legend.
As we all feel a loss, WIll has lost his partner, soulmate, and a piece of himself. We are hoping with this memorial fund to help with the unexpected expenses that occurred with this loss including medical and funeral expenses. Other expenses include loss of pay from time off of work while Will was caring for Karen and the struggle of keeping a small business afloat during the COVID pandemic.
Karen, thank you for sharing yourself with us all.
Karen was a 1975 graduate of Woodward High School and attended The University of Toledo. She owned and operated D&D Dance Studio in Toledo and choreographed musicals and plays for St. Francis de Sales, Notre Dame Academy, and other various high schools and community theaters for over 35 years.
Her passion for dance, musical theater, and teaching inspired and influenced many students over the years. She was very proud of her students and loved all of them like family.
Karen will be remembered for her love of life and the legacy she left behind in both the dance/musical theater community and her family.
Karen Niewiadomski-Kinsey was born in Toledo, OH and graduated from Woodward High School. Karen went on to graduate from the University of Toledo and later married her soul mate in life, Will.
Karen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends while creating an enormous impact on the dance and theater community.
Karen spent her life graciously sharing her talents with our community. She was the epitome of a positive role model. Karen spent her days teaching dance theater to her high school students then afternoons, evenings, and weekends choreographing and teaching for many local high school’s musicals and community theaters all while managing, choreographing, and producing her own shows for her dance studio. While carrying on with all of this, she was still available for anyone in need; just a phone call away or a “lets meet up to talk”.
Karen taught so many how to dance. She taught proper form, technique, stage and prop etiquette, costuming, work ethic, and the list goes on. Her music and performances held meaning. Karen taught dance, but also how to dance from the heart. When Karen had to miss teaching a class, she would prepare plans by first going through the combinations and dances that needed to be taught for each class. She would then spend the majority of the time explaining how to teach certain steps or combinations to each student so everyone would understand it better or what terms to use to help them understand so they wouldn’t become frustrated, and if they did become frustrated remember “they are never allowed to say I can’t. You are only having difficulty at this time”. Karen pushed everyone to be their best, but she lived it too. Karen was always learning new techniques and steps and her creative forces were in constant motion.
Scrolling through stories and listening to conversations, it is apparent of the profound impact she had on so many lives. What may not be as well seen is the impact left with her as well. Spending much time with Karen, we can attest that she remembers everyone of her students and a story for each one. Whether you shared many conversations with her or not I promise you were remembered. She cared about each and everyone of her “students”. Karen taught us to never give up and keep pushing; do it one more time. (Or one more time;let's end on a good note.) It doesn’t matter where you stand on stage, everyone can be seen. Karen taught with passion and so much care. Yes, Karen taught dance, but what she really taught was so much more. Karen was truly a one of a kind legend.
As we all feel a loss, WIll has lost his partner, soulmate, and a piece of himself. We are hoping with this memorial fund to help with the unexpected expenses that occurred with this loss including medical and funeral expenses. Other expenses include loss of pay from time off of work while Will was caring for Karen and the struggle of keeping a small business afloat during the COVID pandemic.
Karen, thank you for sharing yourself with us all.
Karen was a 1975 graduate of Woodward High School and attended The University of Toledo. She owned and operated D&D Dance Studio in Toledo and choreographed musicals and plays for St. Francis de Sales, Notre Dame Academy, and other various high schools and community theaters for over 35 years.
Her passion for dance, musical theater, and teaching inspired and influenced many students over the years. She was very proud of her students and loved all of them like family.
Karen will be remembered for her love of life and the legacy she left behind in both the dance/musical theater community and her family.