User:CpeilaDNA

Catherine A. Peila, most people call me Kate.

I am originally from the Northwest (Seattle, Washington) and presently reside in New York City - I like big cities with lots of people. I am the executive and artistic director of Dance New Amsterdam - New York's most comprehensive non-profit creative training and performance center for contemporary dance and artist development.

I have worked professionally in the arts as an artist or arts administrator/producer for over 30 years. I am beginning to work as an artist and plan on initiating my PhD in Medical Anthropology within the next 10 years. I've also worked on Wall Street, at universities, in fashion/hair and the restaurant industry, and academia. I like to see the underdog succeed by ensuring they have access to valuable life skills through academic, practical and vocational training.

My personal focus is in the intersection between arts and vibrant social systems. I have both academic and practical training in the performing and visual arts, Medical Anthropology researching cross-cultural social and belief systems, arts, and cultural policy and administrative practices (American, Western and Eastern European - present EU and former communist practices) that ensure engagement by communities and government systems. I focus on partnerships and creating engaging educational and entrepreneurial cross-discipline and cross-sector programs that support the development of vibrant societies.