For Katy O’Hanlon Bruns, Independence High School (IHS) was more than a place to learn—it was a space where creativity was encouraged, passions were nurtured, and artistic expression thrived. A member of the Class of 2007, Katy credits IHS with helping lay the foundation for a career that blends art, advocacy, and mental health.
After graduating from IHS, Katy moved to Chicago to pursue professional dance. Over the next decade, she performed with several Chicago-based dance companies and, in 2016, founded Modern Marvels Dance Company (MMDC), a contemporary dance collective dedicated to amplifying the creative voices of its dancers. Through MMDC, Katy produced original work rooted in lived experience, collaboration, and inclusivity—prioritizing dancers of diverse backgrounds, identities, and body types that have often been undervalued in the dance world.
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought live performance to a halt, Katy embraced a new chapter. She returned to school and earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. She also became a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist through the American Dance Therapy Association. Today, Katy continues to dance through MMDC and freelance projects, while her full-time professional work focuses on providing movement-based mental health care for neurodivergent adults, trauma recovery, and identity exploration across Illinois, Ohio, and Vermont.
Looking back, many of Katy’s favorite IHS memories are tied to the music department. From Friday night football games—sometimes changing from her cheerleading uniform into her marching band uniform under the bleachers—to Madrigal dinners, Florida trips, and school musicals, Katy recalls an environment rich with artistic opportunity. She was deeply involved at IHS, participating in concert and marching bands, vocal ensemble, four years of varsity cheerleading, National Honor Society, yearbook, and more.
Two teachers in particular left a lasting impact. “Mr. Gunlicks and Mr. McGuinness were the most influential teachers I had,” Katy shared. “They saw my potential as both a student and an artist and helped me recognize and develop my personal strengths.”
With a graduating class of just 85 students, Katy describes her IHS experience as highly personalized. Teachers knew her well—her strengths, her needs, and her goals—and encouraged her to explore her interests in a safe and supportive environment. “That support set me up for a fulfilling future,” she said, “and I’ll always be grateful for it.”
Today, Katy lives in Chicago with her husband, Tristan, and their two orange cats, Mae Mae and Molly. Together, they enjoy live theatre and dance, exploring the city’s brewery scene, and experiencing the diversity and culture Chicago has to offer.
Her advice for current IHS students is simple but powerful:
“Stay true to yourself and pursue the things you’re passionate about, even if it’s not what your friends or peers are doing. There isn’t a single ‘right’ path after high school—you get to choose the direction that feels best for you.”
Katy O’Hanlon Bruns ’07 continues to exemplify how creativity, compassion, and courage can come together to make a meaningful impact—on stage and beyond.
Ren Studios
The Morros Photography
Neuro-Affirming Dance/Movement Therapy team at the American Dance Therapy Conference in Cary, NC November 2025