Krista Paulsen (Ballet) was born in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in Boone, Iowa, where she began dancing at the age of three. Krista has trained under year-round scholarships at The Virginia School of the Arts, Northern Illinois University, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Grad Program and The Lou Conte Dance Studio home of Hubbard Street Dance Company. Krista has had the opportunity to perform in Pittsburgh Ballet’s Nutcracker under the direction of Terrance Orr. She has also danced with Luna Negra Dance Theater and Fred Garbo’s Inflatable Theater Company on their nationwide tour. Since moving to Chicago, Krista has had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographers and showcase original works at The Fisher Dance Project and Chicago’s Looptopia Festival. Currently she is dancing with Chicago’s contemporary dance company Nomi LaMad. Krista started teaching at the age of 16. She has taught throughout the Chicagoland area from everything to adult ballet classes at The Lou Conte Dance Studio to jazz classes for hopeful olympic figure skaters.