Katie Linzmaier

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About Katie

Katie Linzmaier’s musical story began at home, singing along to her dad’s classic rock playlists echoing through the house. From an early age, her voice stood out — something her second-grade music teacher quickly noticed. That encouragement led Katie into church choirs, and she has been part of vocal ensembles ever since. While singing came naturally, it wasn’t until high school that she discovered how transformative intentional vocal training could be.

As a choir and theatre student, Katie devoted her energy to performing. When a voice teacher visited her choir class, she decided to try private lessons, and within a year the growth was remarkable. Her voice strengthened, but even more importantly, her confidence grew. Piano entered her journey later during undergrad, quickly becoming a valuable companion to her voice and a tool for musical expression.

A defining moment came when Katie performed in Beauty and the Beast, the first musical she was ever cast in. Though she began college as a musical theatre major, her path evolved as she discovered a deep love for opera and art song while pursuing a voice degree.

Katie credits her teachers for shaping both her musicianship and her confidence. Their encouragement inspired her own passion for teaching. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she began teaching privately and later pursued a master’s degree to deepen her understanding of vocal pedagogy.

At ROOTS Academy, Katie focuses on helping students build confidence, embrace challenges, and develop a lifelong love of music.

Outside of ROOTS, Katie performs, works in junior musical theatre productions, and enjoys writing.

Teaching Philosophy

Music in itself is both work and play. Balancing the two in the classroom, along with what benefits and engages the student, is key.

What’s been the highlight of your professional career — like your biggest spotlight moment to date?
“I performed with the local Detroit opera company, Opera MODO, in their production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, except Opera MODO doesn’t do opera in an orthodox way. We did a production of The Magic Flute that utilized Nintendo characters with an English translation that worked marvelously with the music and performed it in an actual arcade. I played Monostatos, but dressed as Waluigi, and it was the first time in professional career I had an aria all to myself! The best part was I could ham it up as much as I wanted. It was a zany and hilarious time!”

Why are you passionate about teaching?
“I love being able to share my knowledge and excitement about music with others, but I especially love helping students find their voices and tastes in music they gravitate towards. I have the opportunity to expand their minds, inspire their imaginations, and open their eyes to the amazing potential they have, which to me, makes it one of the coolest jobs out there.”

What do you like to do in your free time?
“I write fiction in my free time and have been doing so since I was thirteen. I’ve co-written a pair of contemporary romance novels with a friend of mine that we hope to publish in the coming years!”

What is your favorite movie of all time?
“It’s so hard to pick one since I’m such a film nerd, but I have to say Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991). It gave me tons of inspiration as a teenager, and there’s an incredible amount of depth in its characters, music, design, and every aspect of its making, which I could relate to anyone in detail. Many of my favorite films are animated because I have such an admiration and fascination for them!”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“I actually wanted to be a car designer for a while! I grew up in the Car Capital of the country and had an early fascination with how cars were constructed and how that made them efficient, but also look cool at the same time. I found them beautiful in their own way.”

What is your favorite quote?
“The amateur works until they get something right. A professional works until they can’t go wrong.” ~ Julie Andrews

Salty Treat: Skinny Pop Original Popcorn

Sweet Treat: Nerds Gummy Clusters

Fast Food Restaurant: Panera Bread

Sit Down Restaurant: Bar Louie

Coffee Drink: Mocha

Movie/Show: Anything Disney, mostly BatB (1991) and Tangled

Place to Shop: Amazon

Candle: Cinnamon or Vanilla

Musician/Band: Florence + the Machine

Travel Destination: Englewood, FL (to see my parents!)

Gift cards I love to receive: Starbucks, Aldi, Shell Gas or Delta Airlines

THE ROOTS MENTOR PHILOSOPHY

Our mentors play a crucial role in shaping not just artists but well-rounded individuals equipped with a growth mindset, character, determination, confidence, and grit — skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Beyond the Steps: Our Teaching Philosophy

Our approach to dance education goes beyond the traditional. While we undoubtedly focus on developing your technical skills and artistry, we understand that life's most valuable lessons extend far beyond the steps and choreography.

Our dance mentors are passionate about nurturing your movement abilities and your personal growth.

At ROOTS, we recognize that dance is a powerful vehicle for character development. Our mentors instill qualities like discipline, responsibility, and respect through the art of movement. Whether you're mastering ballet technique or perfecting your jazz performance, you'll also be enhancing essential life skills.

Learning choreography and refining your technique takes patience and perseverance. Our mentors are there to guide you through the challenging moments, teaching you the importance of determination and grit – qualities that transcend dance and apply to all areas of your life.

Self-confidence is a cornerstone of success. Our mentors help you build it through dance by celebrating your achievements and nurturing your self-belief. As you nail that challenging turn sequence or master a complex combination, you'll feel your confidence soar.

When you embark on a dance journey with ROOTS, you're not just gaining proficiency in your chosen style. You're also acquiring essential life skills that will serve you well in your academic, professional, and personal endeavors.

At ROOTS, it's not just about the dance classes. It's about the profound impact our dance mentors have on your life.

At ROOTS, we are proud to have mentors who are actively engaged in the dance community. They're not just teachers; they're performers, choreographers, and artists who live and breathe dance. This unique perspective enriches your learning experience, providing insights that go beyond the studio.

In the heart of Music City's vibrant arts scene, ROOTS Academy mentors often balance roles as professional dancers and educators. While their occasional commitments with dance companies or performance tours may lead to mentor substitutions, we're dedicated to keeping you informed about any class changes. In the rare event of an unmissable performance opportunity, rest assured that our team will facilitate a seamless transition to a new mentor.

Join us today to embark on an artistic and personal journey that will shape you into the best version of yourself. Experience the difference of mentorship at ROOTS Academy — where performing arts education becomes a transformative life experience.

THE ROOTS WAY

Our mission is to develop extraordinary artists and exceptional humans through transformative performing arts education. Through music, dance, and theatre, we inspire creativity, nurture character, and empower our students to positively impact their community and the world.

mindset
matters

(How we Think)

We believe mindset shapes not just who we are in the studio, but who we become in the world.

excellence
matters

(What we Do)

We believe excellence flourishes when preparation and vision align with discipline and passion.

people
matter

(How we Act)

We believe in creating spaces where everyone feels safe to create, supported to grow, and inspired to excel.

questions?

If you have any questions about our dance program, please don’t hesitate to call, text or email us. Our hours are Monday – Saturday from 12pm – 6pm.

SASKIA HARMON – Dance Director
JESSICA STILLMAN – Competition Manager
JEN BURNS – Musical Theatre & Dance Systems Manager
KATHLEEN MCPHERSON – Dance Program Development Manager
MEG DEARMIN – Dance/FIT Operations Coordinator
HANNAH SEE – Competition Coordinator