Head Coach: Katie McAninch

Katie McAninch began dancing at her local studio at age four in Modesto, CA. Other competitive activities soon followed including gymnastics, cheer, tumbling/trampoline, and sports acrobatics. In 2009, she moved to Houston, TX continuing to dance in the studio as well as joining her high school drill team. After high school, Katie began working for Crowd Pleasers Dance Company, traveling across Texas choreographing and teaching.

Katie continued her education at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, TX, competing on the Blinn Treasures dance team and winning a National Dance Alliance (NDA) collegiate title in 2014 while Captain. From Blinn, Katie went on to Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where she continued competing in dance on the SFA dance teams. Katie won three more NDA Collegiate titles at SFA and as Captain her second year. During these three years at SFA, Katie was heavily involved in the dance program studying Dance Pedagogy along with Theories and Principles of Dance. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Dance with a minor in Communication Studies in 2017. Katie received her MFA from Texas Woman’s University in 2020 where she researched and explored possibilities to enhance artistry in competitive dance team choreography. She went on to teach Dance and PE at Independence High School along with holding the Assistant Director position of the Royals Drill Team in 2020-2021. She decided to move back to Houston and started the inaugural Spirit Program at the University of St. Thomas, holding the title of Head Cheer and Dance Coach from 2021-2022.

Along with her position at Rice, Katie currently holds the title of Assistant Director of the Cypress Ridge High School Dazzlers while teaching Dance and Drill Team Prep classes.