Board of Visionaries

As a progressive and dynamic studio, Golden Steps is committed to a high level of excellence in leadership, instruction, communication and design. The Board of Visionaries works closely with the owners and instructional staff to ensure that the shared Vision is being addressed in everything that takes place at Golden Steps Studio. Board members come from a variety of backgrounds, but each one is well versed in the Arts.

Kathy KasyanKathleen Kasyan was trained under a Ford Foundation Scholarship at the school of the Garden State Ballet in New Jersey and the School of American Ballet in New York City. She was a soloist at age fifteen with the Garden State Ballet. She has performed classical and contemporary works throughout Europe as a member of the then Balanchine-affiliated Geneva and Zurich Ballet Companies. She was director and principal teacher of the American School of Ballet Arts in West Lafayette for fourteen years, sharing dance with those of all levels of interest and abilities from ages 3 to 66. It was during this time that Kathleen became an Indiana Very Special Artist, working with children with disabilities. Kathleen is currently an occupational therapist with Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS) and works with children with special needs in the schools. Kathleen is excited to work with Alisha and Brooke as they seek to develop a healthy environment in which the joy of dance couples with rewarding, personal success.
Genevieve BordenGenevieve Borden holds a Master of Arts Degree from Purdue University. She has worked as an academic advisor in Visual and Performing Arts and also continues to exhibit professionally. She has won awards for her work in Photography and Painting, and is in numerous collections including Ivy Tech State College, the Frankfort Public Library, and the Clarian Arnett Hospitals.
Kathy MatterKathy Matter, Director of Public Relations for Purdue Bands and Orchestra, has been active in Greater Lafayette’s Arts Community since 1970. Before coming to Purdue in 1999, she enjoyed a long career as a reporter, columnist, critic and arts writer for the Lafayette Journal and Courier. She continues to review the theater for the newspaper as part of a freelance writing career and has been involved as a volunteer with numerous visual and performing arts groups. Particularly interested in theater, she has worked in various backstage roles at Lafayette’s Civic Theatre where her specialty is costume design. Kathy received her B.A. in education and journalism from Ball State University. She was the first individual to receive the Indiana Governor’s Arts Award for Media.
Jill ScharerJill Scharer graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She taught fifth grade in Dallas, Texas for five years and was a substitute teacher at Carroll Elementary for five years. She started a dance team with another parent at Carroll Jr/Sr High School in 2003 and coached the team for five years. They attended UDA summer dance camps and participated in their first dance competition in 2007 where they won first place in the pom division. Jill has enjoyed the Arts through involvement with her three children’s activities including show choir, high school musicals, dance studio performances, and dance team. Her youngest daughter is now a freshman at Ball State majoring in dance and advertising. Jill brings a unique perspective as a Board member due to her professional background in elementary education along with coaching experience in dance.