Karsen is from Charlotte, NC and grew up dancing at Charlotte Ballet Academy and Havilah Dance Company. Karsen spent 14 years as a competition dancer training in all styles and genres. As an Academy student, Karsen performed in eight seasons of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker in roles ranging from ‘Clara’ to ‘Marzipan.’ Karsen has also performed in Charlotte Ballet‘s Little Mermaid and Sleeping Beauty. This past season she performed the soloist role of the ‘Golden Vine Fairy’ in the 2022 Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy Tailored Classic.
Karsen spent two years as a Trainee in Charlotte Ballet’s Pre-Professional program under the direction of Lazslo Berdo, Kati Mayo and Patricia McBride. During her time as a Trainee, Karsen was a dual enrolled CMS student and graduated high school with her Associate Degree from CPCC.
Karsen has attended summer intensives at Charlotte Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Juilliard, Pittsburgh Dance Theatre and the Chautauqua School of Dance,(under the direction of Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride and Sasha Janes.) Karsen has performed in works by Sasha Janes, Mark Godden, Bianca Bonner, Naimah Kioski, Kati Mayo, Emily Bowen, Kyle Shawell, Heather Ferguson, Brittany Vachon and George Balanchine. Karsen is excited to begin her career with Charlotte Ballet.