Teachers
KP School of Dance students have the unique advantage of training with professional and college educated teachers.
The curriculums are designed to provide excitement and growth within each class. Our goal is to create an environment for dancers to learn the technical skills that can prepare them to further their education at a collegiate level and for a lifetime appreciation of dance.
Kris Pickar
Owner/Director/Instructor
Graduated in 2000 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in Dance and Business. Upon graduating, Kris came to Sauk Prairie to open the Kris Pickar School of Dance, teaching dancers of all ages. She has been developing dance programs, performing and choreographing for over 25 years.
Shawn Wakup
Instructor/Office Manager
Graduated in 2008 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in Dance and Business. Upon graduating, Shawn began her career at KP School of Dance, and has done choreography for Sauk Prairie's Middle Level Motion and various high school dance teams throughout Central Wisconsin. Shawn specializes in tap, but also enjoys teaching/choreographing jazz & contemporary.
Livia Konishi
Instructor
Graduated in 2004 from the Royal Academy of Dance. After graduating, she furthered her technical training by attending numerous dance festivals & taking master classes from known ballet masters from around the world. Livia is passionate about teaching the beauty and artistry behind classical ballet. She has been instructing and growing the KP ballet program since 2015.
Courtney Kopchinski
Instructor
Graduated in 2021 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BFA in Dance. In addition to being a professional dancer and choreographer, Courtney is also a certified Pilates Instructor and teaches at various locations in the Madison Area. Courtney is trained in many styles of dance, but her primary focus resides in Contemporary, Floorwork, and Hip Hop. She officially joined the KP teaching team in fall 2022.
Pato Cierna Estrada
Instructor
Pato began dancing at the age of 8. He took classes in Argentina as well as here in the United States, in L.A. & New York. In addition to dance, he has studied a wide variety of art including, voice, guitar, piano, jazz, hip hop, tap, and theater. Pato has also performed on popular Argentine TV shows including "Showmatch" and Universo de Lourdes". Since making Madison his home, Pato is currently teaching Hip Hop and Fusion classes in the area.
Abbey Brooks
Instructor
Abbey grew up training in classical/theatre jazz, ballet, and tap. Since moving to Madison for college in 2020, she has expanded her training to include, contemporary, hip-hop, and modern. Currently, she is part of a performance and competition team in Madison that specializes in different urban street styles of dance. In class, she focuses on foundations, and learning proper technique while, most importantly, having fun.
Liz Luse
Instructor
Liz graduated with a BS in Ballet Performance from Indiana University. She has danced with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Winifred Haun & Dancers, & Dance in the Parks. Liz's teaching credits include Lou Conte Dance Studio, Visceral Dance Chicago, The University of Chicago, Chicago Ballet Arts, Dance Center Evanston. & she was a long-time faculty member of The Joffrey Academy of Dance.