IDP Faculty
Kaitlyn Burch
OWNER
The Independent Dance Project was founded in 2011 by Kaitlyn Burch. Kaitlyn grew up dancing in the Portland area. She got a late start to dancing, beginning at the age of 12. She knew from the first dance class she took that she wanted dance to always be a part of her life. Her passion for dance led her to Los Angeles straight out of high school where she auditioned for the year long scholarship at Edge Performing Arts Center. It was at Edge that Kaitlyn truly began to understand the combined technique, strength, and artistry that is dance. She remained in Los Angeles for several years, continuing to train in dance as well as receiving her BA in English from the University of Southern California.
When Kaitlyn returned to the Portland area in 2006 she began teaching and renewed her passion for dance. She received awards for her choreography and her dancers were recognized for their technical ability. In 2011, she started the Independent Dance Project in an effort to recognize the uniqueness of each dancer. At IDP she strives to ignite a passion for dance in all dancers. Kaitlyn provides mentorship from childhood and into young adulthood, helping to prepare them for life in and outside of the dance world. Kaitlyn hopes that training at IDP will foster and nurture well-rounded individuals who better their communities.
Kenzie Halbert-Howen
Kenzie started taking ballet and tap classes at three years old and has been dancing ever since. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical for 15 years at Kennedy School of Dance in her hometown of Nampa, Idaho. In her teen years, she danced competitively for the Elite Dance Company and the Skyview High School dance team, where she served as a co-captain and won three state championships.
Kenzie continued studying dance in college, majoring in dance for one year at Weber State University, before moving to Portland and earning her bachelor’s degree in English. Kenzie taught dance and tumbling classes at Montavilla and Peninsula Park community centers for several years while pursuing a master’s degree and starting her family.
As a child, dance was a constant source of joy and community for Kenzie, and she is passionate about creating supportive and positive environments where kids of all skill levels can learn to love dance and movement.
When she is not dancing, Kenzie enjoys spending time with her partner and two children, baking, and reading.