The Washington, DC area is full of amazing moms. There are working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, moms of multiples, foster moms, adoptive moms, etc. We want to highlight some of those moms like Katherine Horrigan. Each month we will feature one special mom as the Mom of the Month. Know a fellow amazing local mom here? Nominate them here!
Meet our October Mom of the Month: Katherine Horrigan
Katherine Horrigan is an Arlington based mother and former professional dancer. She is an entrepreneur who founded a local dance academy. Dance Academy of Virginia is a leading dance school with locations in McLean and Del Ray with classes for kids from 2 ½ years old to adults. From ballet and contemporary-style classes and summer camps for all abilities, to pre-professional advanced and competition programs, Dance Academy of Virginia accompanies dancers at every stage of their dance journey.
Prior to Katherine building her company, she had a successful 20-year dance career performing on international stages. She performed with renowned companies including Ailey II, Jessica Lang Dance, Mexico City’s Tania Perez-Salas Compañía de Danza, and Le Grand Ballet du Montréal. Her choreography was featured at Jacob’s Pillow, The Kennedy Center, and the Dance Gallery Festival NYC. Katherine is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. She most recently returned to the stage in 2024 for the Kennedy Center’s world premiere of Turandot.
After retiring from the stage, Katherine earned her Master’s in Arts Management from George Mason University where she directed GMU’s summer dance intensive. She co-founded a non-profit dance company and scaled a dance school as its director before launching her own school, DAV, during the pandemic. This June she is celebrating 5 years of business with a 2 day, 7 performance recital weekend including every single dancer from both schools – a massive undertaking with over 1300 performers!
Currently as CEO of DAV, Katherine cultivates her leadership team and focuses on fostering a values-driven culture that supports the growth and future success of its dancers and team. Katherine enjoys contributing her insights on leadership through interviews on podcasts, panels, and articles. She continues to grow her own leadership qualities as a member of the Entrepreneurs Organization and Elite Entrepreneur Mastermind. Recently, Katherine’s been featured in Forbes, Yahoo News, on a Times Square billboard and on Fox 5 DC and WUSA.
Here is our Q&A with Katherine Horrigan
1. What inspired you to start your dance studio in the middle of a global pandemic, and how did you find the courage to move forward despite so much uncertainty?
The decision came from both a desire to support my community and a personal need to support my family. When the studio I had directed shut down due to the pandemic, our entire dance community—students, families, and teachers—suddenly lost their dance home. Their overwhelming trust in me encouraged me to meet the challenges of the time with an entrepreneurial spirit. With just one month before the fall season, I took the leap. I rallied a trusted team, secured studio space, and spread the word.
Launching a business during a crisis required listening intently to the concerns of our families, staying flexible, and reimagining what dance education could look like. We built more than a studio—we built a community rooted in connection, adaptability, and trust. That foundation still defines our culture today.
2. As a single mom and entrepreneur, how have you balanced the demands of growing a business with raising your child during such a challenging time?
I’ve let go of the idea of perfect balance and instead focus on integration. Life as a single mom and business owner is rarely neat, but it’s deeply rewarding. Some days require creative problem-solving and honest boundaries. I might visit my daughter for lunch at school if I have a weekend of performances ahead. I can volunteer to chaperone a field trip and catch up on work in the late evenings or weekends.
Caring for my own well-being—sleep, nutrition, exercise—is key to being present for both my daughter and my business. I also outsource where I can and involve my daughter in the studio. She sees firsthand the dedication and heart it takes to build something with purpose, and that experience is part of her education too.
3. What has been the most rewarding moment on this journey so far, and what message do you hope to pass on to your child through example?
There have been so many meaningful milestones. Producing our first recital at Wolftrap’s outdoor Children’s Theater during the height of the pandemic. Watching my daughter cut the ribbon at our second location’s grand opening. Witnessing the incredible growth of our dancers in the studio and onstage, experiencing pride in my team, and the vibrant culture we’ve created together. It’s also been a joy to provide jobs for dance professionals and invest in their development. I can’t wait for my daughter to see our dancers perform the Nutcracker on the Capital One Stage this winter – she will certainly be helping in the wings!
More than anything, I want my daughter to see that with creativity, discipline, resilience, and the right support, anything is possible. Dance teaches us to embrace feedback, refine every detail, and move through difficulty with grace. My hope is that she—and every student at DAV—knows these lessons apply far beyond the studio. Believe in your potential, stay curious, and never stop growing. Your future is yours to imagine and create.
Do you know an amazing mom? Nominate a mom of the month here!
