Karen Brettschneider graduated with a B.A. in Performing Arts Dance from Barat College in Lake Forest.  For several years she performed with Zephyr Dance Ensemble before deciding to teach full-time. Karen has been teaching in the Chicagoland area for 18 years. She choreographs for North Shore Nutcracker and the North Shore Dance Co. Karen founded and choreographs for the NSYMCA dance company, a non-profit company dedicated to performing at senior living facilities.