Kari is a Certified Irish Dancing teacher (TCRG) with the Irish Dancing Commission in Ireland, An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG).

Kari began dancing in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1997 when the Riverdance Irish dancing craze hit America. She was instantly drawn to the energy, rhythm, and most of all, the fun. Dancing with the McBride School of Irish Dance in California, Kari's hard work and dedication led her to become an Open Champion dancer, competing in numerous regional Oireachtas and National championships.

After college, Kari spent four years assisting at the McBride School, honing her teaching skills under the guidance of Ann McBride and Eileen Parker. Her dedication to the craft led her to earn her official TCRG certification in 2015.

Kari first launched the Rose Courtney Academy of Irish Dance in Evergreen Park, IL, teaching there for nearly two years before her family relocated to Colorado in 2020. In 2022, she officially opened Rose Courtney in Monument, CO, and the academy has flourished ever since—expanding to offer classes across Colorado Springs, Denver, and Lone Tree.

Kari has fallen in love with the vibrant Colorado Irish Dance community. She deeply treasures the camaraderie and friendships built with fellow teachers and local schools, as well as the sheer joy of watching her dancers perform all across the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas.

At the heart of Kari’s teaching is a deep commitment to the lifelong impact a studio family can have. Whether it’s a young child growing up at Rose Courtney—building core life skills, confidence, and childhood memories—or an adult dancer staying connected through fitness, fun, and community, Kari is driven by the lasting positive influence dance brings to her students' lives. Creating that welcoming, supportive environment is what keeps her loving what she does every single day.

From a very young age, Kari knew her passion for Irish dancing was far more than a childhood hobby. Within her first year of lessons, a dream took root: one day, she was going to teach and open an Irish dance school of her own.

Like many kids, Kari spent hours daydreaming about her future—envisioning what it would feel like to lead her own studio and constantly tossing around potential names for her future school.

Around that same time, Kari was visiting her Irish grandmother, sharing stories about her dance lessons. Her grandmother turned to her with a smile and said, "It is a dream come true that you are learning Irish dancing." She went on to share memories of her own father—Kari’s great-grandfather—who had immigrated from Ireland to San Francisco and was known for dancing up a storm in the local pubs. Her grandmother wistfully mentioned how much she wished she had learned more Irish dance herself growing up.

In that touching, full-circle moment, Kari's dream found its purpose and its name: the Rose Courtney Academy of Irish Dance, named in loving honor of her Irish grandmother, Rose Marie Courtney Hawkins.