Northern Lights Dance Arts

"A progressive take on the arts." The instructors at Northern Lights are dedicated and experienced. Ms. Shelbi and Ms. Kathie's credits include dancing at the collegiate level, competing in regional and national events along the East Coast and participating in dance intensives and classes with Master Teachers from around the world: Bill Hastings (Fosse), Kenny Wormald (DanceLife & Footloose), Bill Hotaling (Manhattan Dance Project), Mia Michaels (SYTYCD), Joe Tremaine, Al Gilbert, Gus Giordano, Luigi, Maurice Hines, Frank Hatchett, Donald O'Connor, Tommy Tune, Ann Reinking, & Desmond Richardson.  Some of the competitions and conventions attended have taken place in Miami, Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, & New York City.  While in New York City, trips to the Broadway Dance Center have always been a must!  Since returning to Maine in 2000, locations of such events have included New Jersey, New York City, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.  Our choreography mixed with talented dancers has earned us many titles and scholarships (to Nationals and Summer Dance Camps/Festivals – Bates Dance Festival included) throughout the years.

Since the early 90s, Ms. Kathie has taken her students to the following competitions: Showstopper, Showbiz, Stars of Tomorrow, Star Systems, American Dance Awards, Dance Educators of America, & Dance Makers Inc.  Since we’ve been in Maine, Showstopper, American Dance Awards, Dance Olympus, Ticket to Broadway, Olympic Miss/Step Up 2 Dance Tour, and Dancers Inc have all been added to that list.

Meet Our Instructors:

KATHIE JAMISON COTE, Certified by Dance Masters of America was one of the youngest in the country to attain "Dance Master of America" Teacher Status in 1972, after completing three consecutive summer intensives in New York City.  In '75 she opened her first studio in Augusta, ME.  In the summer of '84 she, her husband Craig and son Jeremy, moved to the Florida Keys, where she opened Island Dance Connection Studios.  With locations in Key West, Marathon, Big Pine and Tavernier, she taught there for 16 years.  As her daughters (Sachi, Shelbi and Alani) grew, so did their love for dance. Wishing to foster the best education for this love, many different classes and workshops were attended 2-3 times a year.  In the year 2000, Kathie began yet another studio, Northern Lights Dance Arts in Ellsworth, Bangor and Lincoln, where she and her daughters all taught their original and unique choreography that followed them from the sensational South Florida Dance Scene.

SHELBI WERNER is an award-winning dancer and choreographer.  Having her first dance lesson at the age of two, Shelbi grew up in her mother's studios - Island Dance Connection of the Florida Keys and Northern Lights Dance Arts here in Maine.  During the 20+ years that she has been dancing, she has participated in workshops with Master Teachers from cities such as Miami, NYC and LA and has danced in annual competitions in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, Daytona Beach and New York City, earning many titles and awards throughout her career.  Shelbi graduated Salutatorian of her high school class, with membership to the National Honor Society.  She attended the University of Maine on scholarship, where she studied Child Development & Education.  During her time at UMO, Shelbi was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She also maintained a 4.0 GPA and studied dance.  Shelbi has been teaching the art, the technique and the beauty of dance for 10 years.