I love dancing and sharing the joy of movement with others. I believe we are meant to dance from a deep cellular level. We are also meant to howl, to laugh, to sing and rejoice vocally! We ARE connected to the mystery and geometry of the world as ONE and that’s something to celebrate!

I took a Nia class in 2000, but did not go back.  I loved it, but I just wasn't ready for the transformation at that time, I had a little more suffering to go through!  In December 2004, after two frozen shoulders, chronic pain in my joints, years of physical therapy, a battle with constant exhaustion and a compromised immune system, I received a call from my dear friend Jennifer Terrell in New York, proclaiming the wonders of Nia.  As if a lightning bolt had struck, I knew that this was my calling.  Jennifer had told me about the www.nianow.com website, and that very night, I found a class only 5 minutes from my home.  It was taught by Black Belt instructor Marty Broda, the same teacher I had taken a class from at another location five years previous.  I walked in, the music began, as did the tears, and I have been healing, laughing and dancing ever since. The best part about Nia is that the natural high I experienced on that fateful day never ended. (Kate's story was featured in an article written by Valerie Schwartz in the Chapel Hill News Advocate.) 

My joy has only increased as I’ve allowed myself to feel more connected with my body. Now I freely explore the multidimensional movements of Nia’s gracious blend of Tai Chi and yoga with the energy and spontaneity of Modern and Duncan dance, the spice of Jazz and also the energy and explosiveness of Tae Kwon Do with just enough of my own, authentic self mixed in!  

As Nia strongly connected me directly to my source of joy, I naturally began to apply the transforming concepts of healing movement to other areas of my life and my happiness expanded! Then I thought, if I am able to reach a place of bliss within myself, perhaps I can help others feel good about themselves. Thus, Nature Nia was born.

Nature Nia is my very special way of honoring how Nia helped me to find health -- physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It is with great happiness and joy that I share, as a certified Black Belt Nia instructor, the fruits of my passion for nature, my love of dance, children and acting. 

As an Acting and Nia instructor, I draw upon over 30 years of experience as a professional actor, including a ten-year stint in Los Angeles.  Even though my acting resume is filled with roles in feature films, sitcoms, dramas, and TV movies, I’ll admit to having a blast as a go-go dancer and appearing as a contestant on several game shows. However, when it comes to performing, live theatre will always be my first love.  

I have lived in many places, but nothing compares to the beauty of where my husband and I have made our home. I love North Carolina’s beautiful outdoors so much, I became an outreach educator in 1999 for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and became certified by the state as an Environmental Educator in 2004. I’m also proud to be the Education Chair for the New Hope Audubon Society as well as a naturalist for the Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department where I lead wilderness hikes and bird-watching trips. I appreciate every opportunity I am given to introduce the beauty and marvel of nature to children and reawaken nature’s sense of wonder in adults. I have led trips to Nicaragua, dancing on a rainforest mountain and to Greece, dancing on the Aegean Sea. I continue my Nature Nia vision to lead trips to exotic places connecting Nia and nature with plans for Nia Brazil coming soon!

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my husband, Chris Canfield. Without his loving support of my process, I could never have made the strides I have to realize, grow into and express the essence of who I am. Chris and I share an abiding love of nature and I’m proud of his commitment to wildlife and the environment through his work with Audubon North Carolina.