Karri began dancing Lindy Hop in Austin in 2002 when a friend invited her to the Fed. She fell in love with the dance immediately and that was when it all started. Since then, she has attended workshops, exchanges, and camps in many different states, and has traveled as far as Herrang, Sweden for the opportunity to dance with and meet people from all over the world. She enjoys a variety of dances, but her first love is Lindy Hop.

The last word Karri would like to describe her dancing is "rough." If anything, she would much prefer "z-------------". We aren't %100 sure of what that means, but it certainly does sound exciting! A far cry from her days at prom, bopping inconspicuously against the wall, hoping that no one would notice, the burning... desire... to DANCE!

Karri's first memories of dancing include performances on the front porch with friends. She would choreograph dances with her cousin and then perform them to their parents. Their choices of music, you ask... None other than Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a place on Earth" and the Judds "Let me tell you about love."

As passionate as she is about lindy hop, she is most passionate about count 3. They have an on again off again relationship that rolls around every eight count or so. During one of these episodes, Karri dictated this letter to her love:

He woos me in and for a moment, gently, we embrace.
I think nothing of what lies ahead, but gaze contentedly into his face.
His arm around me supports my back, my hand on his shoulder, alighted.
Our hands are clasped between us; eye to eye we are united.
The hold he has on me is complete I'm hemmed in on each side.
He supports me so completely I know he is an able guide.
All too soon, though, we must release and he takes care to send me along.
We bid our goodbyes and anticipate our embraces later in the song.

Yeah, yeah, she sounds sweet. But watch out! This girl is a trickster! When she was a kid she made a concoction of various household items and convinced a friend that it was actually mint-chocolate chip ice cream. She, however, claims no connection to this event. "I cannot be held responsible for someone who would eat something that reeks of Head and Shoulders and toothpaste!"

Karri's advice to new dancers:
"Don't give up! Dancing is a blast and is totally an acquired skill! Rhythm can be learned!"