FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2006


VELOCITY DANCE CENTER NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SEATTLE— Velocity Dance Center, the hub for contemporary dance in
Seattle, has appointed Kara O’Toole to the position of Executive
Director effective June 1, 2006. O’Toole is a long-time member of the
Seattle dance community and brings over 15 years of valuable experience
to Velocity. O’Toole replaces Velocity’s founders Michele Miller and KT
Niehoff, who lead the organization from 1996 to 2006. Miller and
Niehoff have chosen to pursue new artistic and personal endeavors but
will remain involved in the organization as instructors and mentors.

As Executive Director, O’Toole will have full artistic and operational
oversight of Velocity Dance Center. This includes responsibility for
the class offerings, artistic programming, staff, administration and
day-to-day running of the organization. In addition to these
responsibilities, O’Toole will continue to teach her longstanding
weekly “ballet for modern dancers” classes at Velocity.

O’Toole has an extensive background as a dancer, educator and artistic
administrator within the local and national dance community. She is a
founding member of Seattle-based dance organizations d9 Dance
Collective and Kick, a dance service organization. She has performed
professionally with the Pat Graney Company and the Chamber Dance
Company. O’Toole has been on the faculty of George Mason University and
University of Memphis, and taught for 10 years in the University of
Washington Dance Program, where she earned her MFA in Dance. O’Toole
completed her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College, where she
majored in Dance and History. In addition to these accomplishments, she
was the founding co-editor of DanceNet newspaper. She joins Velocity
from Cornish College of the Arts, where she was a member of the Dance
Department faculty.

“Kara comes equipped with deep knowledge and experience of dance, as a
performer, educator and administrator. She has an enduring passion for
dance which will serve Velocity and the overall dance community
extremely well. We are delighted to welcome her, and look forward to
supporting her leadership as Velocity continues its path of growth and
development,” says Carol Sanders, incoming President of the Board at
Velocity.  O’Toole adds, “I am honored to be taking on this role at
Velocity, an organization that I have long respected and admired. I
firmly believe that we are a unique and invaluable organization that
has strong roots in the local and national dance community. I look
forward to the opportunities that await us!”

O’Toole will report to the Velocity Dance Center Board of Directors and
will be supported by current Velocity staff members.

ABOUT VELOCITY
Velocity Dance Center is the center for contemporary dance in Seattle
and promotes excellence in the field of contemporary dance by inspiring
dance artists to reach their maximum potential. Velocity provides
opportunities and space for education, dance creation, performance, and
national/international exchange.

For questions regarding this release or Velocity Dance Center, please
contact Jody at (206) 325-8773 or info@velocitydancecenter.org.