Katie Jo has been with Spotlight since early 2016, and describes the studio as the “dream she never knew she had and never knew she needed”. Katie Jo’s journey into the arts started at the young age of 8, and she has been performing ever since. She worked with the infamous Village Theater in Issaquah, Washington, where she trained with Tony Award winning directors and choreographers. Katie Jo attended Bellevue College in Washington state and studied performing arts and vocal music before moving to California to participate in the Disney College Program in 2013. Her main roles with the Walt Disney Company were in the Youth Education Series and Disney Performing Arts- leading, developing, and training several educational in-park experiences and performances. In the wild year that was 2020, Katie Jo found a new dream of theatrical direction, and she had the honor to solo direct her first show with Yorba Linda Spotlight, “13”. Now, Katie Jo finds the utmost joy in balancing studio management, teaching private lessons, and directing main stage shows. However, Katie Jo’s favorite role in the studio is being a mentor to the many students that come through our doors. Her main focus while overseeing operations at the studio is ensuring every performer feels welcomed, worthy, and enough, no matter their skill level. Katie Jo is excited to tackle whatever comes her way, because she knows she has found an incredible family here at the studio!