Kate Thomas, Artistic Director of Ballet Neo, creates contemporary ballets with mature narratives ranging from deeply emotional personal stories to intricate interpretations of various musical styles. Ballet Neo Young Professionals, BNYP, launched in July with the Summer 24 Workshops at New York Live Arts in NYC. In June 2024, Ballet Neo won a CUNY Dance Alliance residency at Aaron Davis Hall. The CDI residency supports "the Heroinez Journey project," investigating the classical ballet lexicon in a non-binary or gender-inclusive exploration of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. The goal is to recognize that heroism, personal growth, and transformation are not exclusive to traditional binary gender roles. From 2001 - 2019, as Director of The School at Steps, at Steps on Broadway, she redefined and developed all curriculum-based programs and was Director at the School at Peridance 2019-20. Trained at The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Thomas performed with several Graham-based companies. She founded B.Muse Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, to support her passion for choreography and dance education and provided dance programs, lecture demonstrations, and performances to schools in Harlem, the South Bronx, and Upper Manhattan through the Morningside Heights Dance Development Program. Thomas developed an approach to movement for young children that many studios and preschools utilized throughout the city. Thomas serves on the New York Dance and Performance Awards - The Bessies selection committee and was a panelist for the Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Development Fund (CDF) fiscal Year 2025.