Katrina Clarke was born and raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin where she danced at Misty's Dance Unlimited in Onalaska, Wisconsin until graduation. Mrs. Clarke began her pre-professional training under the late Kennet Oberly (Stuttgart Ballet), Larissa Oberly (Estonian National Ballet), and Amanda Schams (Madison Ballet). She performed with Ballet La Crosse, dancing in ballets including Cinderella, Coppelia, The Little Mermaid, and excerpts from Konservatoriet. Katrina spent her summers attending programs at Ballet Magnificat!, The Nutmeg Conservatory, Ballet 5:8, Kansas City Ballet, and Bruce Wood Dance. Mrs. Clarke went on to Belhaven University as a Dance Major, studying under Ravenna Tucker Wagnon (Royal Ballet) and Laura Morton (Houston Ballet). She performed in both classical and contemporary works including Waltz of the Hours, Swan Lake, and Frescoes excerpt from The Little Humpbacked Horse. 

In addition to dancing, Mrs. Clarke took classes in Dance Pedagogy, Composition, Kinesiology, Dance History, and Ballet Teaching Methods. She choreographed her own works that were performed in the Emerging Choreographers Concerts and the Senior Dance Concert. She was active in leadership and academics being the Treasurer for the DOXA Dance Club at Belhaven and receiving the Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Merit and the Daniel Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. Mrs. Clarke graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance and a Minor in Business Administration. After graduation, Mrs. Clarke joined Störling Dance Theatre for one season, performing works by Mona Störling-Enna, Tobin James, and Carolyn Dorfman. She joined Ballet 5:8 as a Second Company Artist for the 2022/2023 season and was promoted to Company Apprentice for the 2023/2024 season. While at Ballet 5:8, she has performed in works choreographed by Julianna Rubio Slager, Tobin James, and Steve Rooks.

Mrs. Clarke has a passion for education and teaching high quality dance to the next generation. She has coached and taught students who have gone on to perform at professional companies or attend universities. At the School of Ballet 5:8, she has taught students who have progressed to the School’s Pre-Professional Program. Mrs. Clarke brings a well-rounded background to teaching, having experience in ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap, and Progressing Ballet Technique. Mrs. Clarke is a life-long learner and has a Progressing Ballet Technique certification, RYT-200 certification in Yoga, Master’s in Business Administration, and is in the process of obtaining her Pilates Instructor certification.