About K8

Kate McSwain serves as Co-Executive Director of American Ice Theatre (AIT) and Director of the AIT-Boston satellite location. An international figure skating choreographer for single skaters, solo ice dancers, synchro and Theatre on Ice (TOI) teams, Kate is also the creator of the movement teaching philosophy and vocabulary “6 Ways of the Spine,” now taught as American Ice Theatre’s primary core body movement curriculum.

As founder of the American Contemporary Skating Festival and a founding member of the international Contemporary Skating Alliance, Kate is passionate about building awareness of the importance of authenticity, improvisation, and body movement in figure skating. Her life’s work is to advance a greater understanding of—and appreciation for—contemporary and artistic skating and to grow a network of contemporary skaters around the world.

Previously, Kate served as the Assistant Director of the 2016 ISU World Championship Opening Ceremonies in Boston, and co-choreographer for the 2014 U.S. Figure Skating National Championship Opening Ceremonies. She also served as the Director of Operations for Grassroots to Champions, founded by U.S. Olympic Coach Audrey Weisiger.

She resides in Boston, MA, but travels frequently, both nationally and internationally, to teach AIT movement seminars, choreograph for competitive skaters, and consult with TOI programs and synchronized skating teams. Kate holds a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Colorado.

Experience & Training

Figure Skating Experience & Training

Kate McSwain trained as an elite, competitive figure skater for nearly 15 years, including at the Detroit Skating Club and the Broadmoor Skating Club in Colorado Springs, CO. She is a double gold medalist with her Senior Freestyle and Senior Moves in the Field. Over the course of her training, she had the opportunity to work with elite coaches and choreographers such as:

  • Damon Allen
  • Tom Dickson
  • Christa Fassi
  • Simone Grigorescu
  • Johnny Johns
  • Mitch Moyer
  • Jodi Porter
  • Yuka Sato
  • Allen & Angela Schramm
  • Tom Zakrajsek

Dance & Choreography Training

Kate is experienced in modern, contemporary jazz, lyrical, swing, ballroom, and blues dancing. She has studied with Annette Thomas with Ballet for Figure Skaters and was trained in dance choreographic techniques by American Ice Theatre (AIT) founder Jodi Porter.

Certifications & Training

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

  • Producer & Choreographer, Choreographic Exercise Demonstration Videos (2013-present)
  • Instructor, AIT Master Choreography Techniques course (2016-present)
  • Co-Presenter, “TOI for Coaches” Webinar, Australian Professional Skaters’ Association (2021)
  • Co-Presenter, “Choreography Tools” TOI Seminar, PSA (Chicago, 2018)
  • Presenter, “Mastering the Choreographic Exercise (CE)” Webinar, PSA (2018)
  • Presenter, “Tools of Choreography for Theatre on Ice” Seminar, USFS (Washington DC, 2017)
  • Instructor, Contemporary & Modern Dance, USFS Synchronized Skating DREAM Camp (2016)
  • Co-Presenter, “TOI Choreographic Exercise” Clinic, Skating Club of Boston (2014)
  • Demonstrator, Choreographic Exercise Clinic for TOI Coaches, Judges, and Officials (San Francisco, 2011)

Awards & Honors

  • Invited Guest, Ballet Sur Glace French Federation’s Coaches & Officials Meeting and Seminar (Paris, 2019)
  • Finalist, Young Artists Showcase international choreography competition (2013, 2010)
  • 1st place, Senior Level, National Showcase Artistic Competition (2012, 2011, and 2009)
  • Bronze Winner, ProSkaters’ “Virtual Skate Off” original performance competition (2011)
  • 7th place, Ladies Junior Level, Midwestern Sectionals (2004)
  • 2nd place, Ladies Junior Level, Southwestern Regionals (2004)

Questions or want to get in touch? Contact Kate.