Biography

Catherine Lillianna Woltjen is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education (EdM) and Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in Dance Education at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Education in New Brunswick, New Jersey, as part of their 5-year program. This past summer, she interned with the Summer Arts Institute, a program run by the New York City Department of Education, under the guidance of her professor, DeAngelo Blanchard, and other educators.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance, with high honors, from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. During her undergraduate years, she was inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. As a member of University DanceWorks, also through Mason Gross, Catherine performed works choreographed by Kun-Yang Lin and Courtney Henry, and traveled to various public schools and universities to perform and teach the choreography.

Before attending Rutgers, Catherine trained at Talent Unlimited High School in New York City, where she majored in Dance. There, she produced student choreography and participated in several performances. As part of her education, she also interned at RIOULT Dance Company and Center through the Exploring the Arts program, which offers young artists professional development opportunities.

Throughout her high school years, Catherine participated in various dance intensives, including NYU Tisch’s Future Dancers and Dancemakers programs, and the Summer Arts Institute. She also broadened her dance experience by becoming a member of a hip-hop group, “I am Phresh,” based in Philadelphia. Catherine’s performance career began at age 12, when she danced as a backup for up-and-coming artists Brandon Jerrord and Keisha at events like Winter Fest at Citi Field and Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the US Open. Her performance at Arthur Ashe Kids Day included sharing the stage with fitness instructor Shaun T, broadcast on ESPN2.

In addition to her extensive training in ballet, commercial, and contemporary dance, Catherine expanded her dance background at Ailey Camp New York, where she explored Modern dance, West African dance, and even learned to play African drums. Catherine’s dance training began at the age of 3 at recreational studios, including TKO Dance Academy, where she trained until she was 17.