Karen Mareck Grundy

As the Artistic/Executive Director of Mareck Dance, Karen Mareck Grundy strives to give dancers a positive yet disciplined space to discover their core, expand their hearts and minds, and explore diverse styles of dance.

Karen’s unique experience is reflected in her fresh and innovative style, which combines her classical ballet and modern dance training with a twist from the productions of Las Vegas, resulting in work that’s accessible to all. Born and raised in Vegas, Karen began dance training at the age of 3. By age 8, she was training in modern dance with Ronnie Greenblatt, who trained under Martha Graham.

Karen’s extensive classical ballet and jazz training was under the direction of Inez Mourning and Belinda DeBecker. Her love of contemporary ballet was discovered while working closely with L.J. Ballard as both a dancer and an assistant choreographer. Karen was a member and featured dancer in various dance companies, including Opus Dance Ensemble, New Works Project, and Ballard’s Cafe Dance Co. She performed in Las Vegas for 11 years as a featured and lead dancer, and also worked in television. During this time, she had the opportunity to work under Ron Lewis, renowned director and choreographer for Liza Minnelli. Karen teaches master classes across the country and served as an assistant to choreographer Tiger Martina.

In 2000, Karen was recruited to Columbia, Missouri, to teach at Columbia Performing Arts Centre, where she taught for 9 years. She has trained dancers who have gone on to The Juilliard School, The Lines School, Dance Kaleidoscope, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and Broadway!

Her dream was always to have her own professional company, and before starting Missouri Contemporary Ballet—now Mareck Dance—in 2006, she was the Artistic Director for Cedar Lake II. Through Mareck Dance, Karen is thrilled to create her vision while collaborating with artists of all genres, as well as the many supporters of dance in Columbia, across the state of Missouri, and throughout the country.