Karen  Mackie

 

Karen Mackie started dancing in 2000 and quickly discovered the joys and challenges of competitive dancing when she started competing in the Pro-Am and Line Dance divisions of the UCWDC (Country Western Dance).  She now competes at the Advanced Pro-Am level with her instructor, Shawn Swaithes, from Orlando, in six different dance styles. Her most recent competition was at the 2009 U.S. Open with Manny Viarral in the Master's Division.  Karen has previously been in charge of Dance & Entertainment, as well as Hospitality for the RMSDC.  She worked as “Floor Mom” at the 2008 and 2009 Swingtime in the Rockies.  Karen has enjoyed taking private lessons from many local instructors (including Kevin & Pat Whiteley, Manny Viarrial, Toby Munroe, Patti Mulholland, and Jo Szymanski). Her favorite dance style is West Coast Swing because of the great music and the creativity this dance style allows her to have on the dance floor.  Off the dance floor, Karen is an elementary school librarian, and mother of 3, and grand-mother of 5.