Katrina Clarke is a Company Artist with Ballet 5:8 and serves as the Director of the Preparatory Division at the School of Ballet 5:8. Originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin, Clarke began her training at Misty’s Dance Unlimited under the mentorship of Kennet Oberly (Stuttgart Ballet), Larissa Oberly (Estonian National Ballet), and Amanda Schams (Madison Ballet). She performed with Ballet La Crosse in full-length productions including Cinderella, Coppélia, The Little Mermaid, and excerpts from Konservatoriet.

Clarke continued her training at summer programs with Ballet Magnificat!, The Nutmeg Conservatory, Kansas City Ballet, Bruce Wood Dance, and Ballet 5:8 before pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Belhaven University. There, she studied under esteemed faculty including Ravenna Tucker Wagnon (The Royal Ballet), Laura Morton (Houston Ballet), and Cynthia Newland. Her collegiate performance credits include both classical and contemporary works, among them Waltz of the Hours, Swan Lake, and Frescoes from The Little Humpbacked Horse. She also choreographed several original works presented in the Emerging Choreographers Concerts and the Senior Dance Concert.

At Belhaven, Clarke was recognized for both artistic and academic excellence, receiving the Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Merit in 2018 and the Daniel Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in 2021. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance and a Minor in Business Administration.

Following graduation, Clarke joined Störling Dance Theatre, performing works by Mona Störling-Enna, Tobin James, and Carolyn Dorfman. She joined Ballet 5:8 as a Second Company Artist in 2022, was promoted to Company Apprentice in 2023, and to Company Artist in 2024. Her repertoire at Ballet 5:8 includes roles in Transcendence, Wind, Golden Sessions, Día de los Vivos, and The Sea is Flat, performing works by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager, Tobin James, and Steve Rooks.

In addition to her work as a professional artist, Clarke is passionate about dance education and has taught and coached students who have gone on to study at major university dance programs and prestigious training centers. As Director of the Preparatory Division at the School of Ballet 5:8, she brings a holistic and nurturing approach to foundational training. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, holds a 200-hour yoga instructor certification (RYT-200), and is currently pursuing Pilates instructor certification. Clarke also holds a Master’s in Business Administration and is dedicated to lifelong learning as both a teacher and artist.