Kat Echevarría Richter

Writing left handed

About Kat

Welcome! My name is Kat Echevarría Richter (she/her) and I’m a writer. I’m also a tap dancer, adjunct professor of dance studies, and artistic director of The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to rhythm tap.

I live in Philadelphia with my husband, our kid, and a rather neurotic rescue dog named Henry. We spend most of our weekends renovating our home (will it ever end???) and attending preschool birthday parties. Once upon a time, my life was bit more exciting, but pandemic parenting has it’s own special charm. Sometimes.

I grew up in New Jersey but was born in New Hampshire. I like to point this out lest anyone get the wrong idea: I’m a New Englander at heart, not a “Jersey Girl.”

I was homeschooled and even though I danced professionally for many years, history was always my first love. In high school, I worked at an archaeology dig and got really obsessed with eighteenth-century textiles (just ask my mother, who had to suffer through many ill-fated sewing projects taking over the dining room table).

In college, I studied history and historic preservation, doubled majored in dance, and taught myself how to read Beauchamp–Feuillet notation, a Baroque-era method of transcribing proto-ballet choreography. Astonishingly, I did not achieve great popularity as an undergraduate.

Fortunately, I earned a scholarship to Oxford University, where my particular brand of quirkiness was somewhat better received. I studied English literature. I rowed crew. I wrote for the Oxford Theatre Review. Eventually I moved to London, where I completed my graduate studies in dance anthropology. But then, my student visa ran out and, being a millenial, I moved back in with my parents.

Over the next few years, I racked up a rather eclectic array of… life experiences, shall we say? I worked retail. I taught cultural anthropology at a community college. I bought, renovated, and flipped a house. I wrote a column for Dance magazine, earned my first Conde Nast byline, and choreographed pageant routines for wannabee beauty queens.

Eventually I settled on a moderately sustainable combination of writing, directing my dance company, and moonlighting as an academic. (If you want to check out my academic research and publications, you can do so here.) I’m relaunching my blog with the goal of keeping myself accountable, especially where my writing is concerned. (Did I mention I’ve been writing a novel?) So, with that in mind, thank you for stopping by, and enjoy!

PS: I started blogging almost fifteen years ago. I’ve also deleted a lot of posts since then, because I’m got to maintain some semblance of credibility in front of my college students. Plus, this kid of mine is going to learn to read someday…

PPS: Despite my best intentions, we never actually get around to sending out Christmas cards. But if we did, this is the color-coordinated-happy-white-people version of us, taken by my very talented friend Brianna of Brianna Lee Photography. In addition, credit for my headshot on the homepage of this blog goes to the equally talented Ashley Smith of Wide Eyed Studios.

75 Responses to “About Kat”

  2. Ben

    I’m really enjoying reading this, Kat – keep it up. Hope you manage to get back to the UK some time, and that the world of retail spits you out into something more interesting, having chewed you up for a bit….

    Reply
  4. eviejane

    I’m from Philly, danced for 14 years (before the kneecap decided to relocate to another part of my leg) and am in the process of writing 3 books (they keep rotating when I get stuck). I’m all over this blog and adding it to my list!

    Reply
  8. ChasingTwenty

    You seriously crack me up Kat! Tact is so over-rated. If people said what they meant and meant what they said, the world would be a much happier place.

    Write-on 😉

    Reply
  10. patamsden

    Love this blog! It’s kind of like re-living single-hood without actually having to go through it personally.

    Reply
  11. Classique

    Just discovered your blog, first personal blog i have discovered as its taking me a while to understand thid blogging milarky, and, more specifically, blogging on wordpress… b ut love,love, love everythin g i have read so far. u got me hooked, you sound like one of the girlfriends I wish I had but never had the pleasure of having. Keep it up!

    Reply
  14. Liesl

    Hey hun!

    I really hope I wasn’t one of the college friends that went from “In a Relationship” to “Engaged” that tipped you off on this dating spree!! But best of luck, my dear. Adventures rock. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Jenny

    Whatever shall we do with our “famous friend” when PWC comes ’round again? 🙂

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Famous? Not quite… in fact, you’ll probably catch me standing awkwardly by the coffee urn trying to find someone to talk to! You know I’m not nearly so quick-witted in real life 🙂

      Reply
  16. Chantale

    I’m still hunting for my day job, but I’ve been enjoying your blogs. You tell it like it is — sort of, like, Tales from the Hip. Love it! I agree with other, here, who remarked that you could be one of my girlfriends (not one of the ones to whom I listen on the phone with my eyes rolling with every boast, but one of my earthy friends).

    Ahhh, to be 25 again … It’s a lot easier being mobile when you travel at 25 than when you’re my age (in case you want a hint, I remember when Joni Mitchell’s song “Help Me” was new, playing on Top 40 radio AND I was old enough to sing along with the lyrics). I love to travel, write and dance, too — not exactly in that order, and although the sequence changes with each decade, they’re always the loves of my life. Enjoy your numeric youth while it lasts, but remember always to do what you love and to live in the moment — just a few secrets to staying young at heart.

    Let us keep armchair-traveling with you through life, arthritic wrists be damned. Keep up the crisp, vivid writing!

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Aww, thanks, Chantale! I’m sure my girlfriends do engage in a fair amount of eye rolling when I’m on the phone but it’s nice to know that I do, at times, seem down to earth 🙂

      Reply
  18. Ahmad

    Awesome blog but I’m still debating the ethics of it. Do you tell your match.com daters that you blogged about them? And that this is just something you are doing as an experiment? Do you think you would fall in love? I don’t know I’m just thinking aloud! You can reply via email if you think my post may detract your fans…not my intention!

    Thanks.
    Y

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Yep, I’ve even included the name of the blog is in my Match.com profile. Plus, I decided to start dating before I decided to start writing about dating and I am actually hoping to meet someone in the process… thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Ahmad

    I will be honest.. you are the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a very long time. I’m a chicken though..

    Reply
  20. Em the Gem

    I stumbled across your blog, and I love it – I’m from the Philly suburbs, but I love the city – I went to college in Philly! I’m hoping to move, once I, myself get out of retail, into the city also. And, I also have my dating woes … I’ve considered online dating, but it’s semi-scary, so I’m anxious to read your stories! I’ve subscribed to your blog, and can’t wait to read more about your triumphs and travails! Good luck 🙂

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Thanks for stopping by! Somehow I missed you comment back in March but I hope you’re feeling better about online dating by now 🙂

      Reply
  22. Renee Davies

    I’ve left comments on your site already, but I kept thinking to myself “She reminds me of someone!” and finally, it came to me, you remind me a little of Maria Callas!

    Reply
  23. najube

    First let me just say: what a great blog! It’s been a pleasure living vicariously through your tales of dating adventures and misadventures 🙂

    Which leads me to my second thingy… I was kinda hoping to ask for your advice on something (dating & writing related). Any chance I could message you privately? Can we even do that on WP? Or perhaps via twitter (if you’re on there)?

    Hope so!

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Thanks for your comment and I’d be happy to offer any advice I can. WordPress actually provides me with the email addresses of anyone who comments but obviously I keep these private. I’ll shoot you email later today and we can go from there.

      Reply
  24. najube

    Ooh! I could send you my email address in this comment box! So long as you don’t hit ‘approve’ and publish the comment, I’m guessing it’s pretty secure.

    I know you’re busy though, so just let me know if you have a spare sec.

    Thanks either way 🙂

    Reply
  27. girlinblues

    Kat, could you please add an RSS button? I love your writing and read it everyday, but it would be a lot easier if I could put you in my reader. Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  28. Kat Richter

    Done! Thanks for the suggestion– I’m such a technophobe that I don’t even use RSS but I forget that some people are not as dimwitted as I am 🙂 Thanks for the suggestion! (Feed button now available below and up top beneath my gravatar on the left hand side.)

    Reply
  29. ahmad

    Can I date you? You won’t regret it 😉 If you are not into intelligent ppl then I can’t help you.

    Reply
  31. Fiercely Yours

    You have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award because I love you’re blog. LOVE IT!
    Click me back to get the details when you have the time.

    Reply
  36. sianelizabethr

    Love the blog, you’re a great writer! I’m just starting out so I’m learning the ropes and your literary style is very refreshing 🙂

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Haha, I get this question a lot. It’s basically exactly what it sounds like: exploring dance through an anthropological lens, so looking at the cultural aspects of it, doing fieldwork, making cross-cultural comparisons, etc.

      Reply
      • charlypriest

        Abouty the writers..Kerrie Salsac, Adam Smith, Kerrie Ellsmore, just three out of the top of my head that follow me and viceversa. Now that I notice it´s ironic that the all three women, you included meaning, all names start with the letter K.

        Have a friend that studies Antrhopology, and lately I meet her in the bus going to someplace or returning to our little town. She´s constantly speaking about her studies which tends to put my brain to sleep….just kidding. I find it quite interesting to tell you the truth. So you add dancing to it and that´s what I call, an intellectual party!

        Reply
  38. Ms Amanda

    Love your blog so much ! I once lived in Philadelphia and worked in non profits & social services. I am hoping to return soon. Keep dancing and writing !

    Reply
  42. Jason D

    What can I say?…sharing your experiences about online dating from a woman’s perspective has been hilarious and fun to read. Being a guy, I am clueless to these things of course. I judged you too quickly for your willful prejudice of shorter guys (in the first post I read of yours). I’m only 5’9, so you’d scratch me off your list before I even said, “hello”. But, regardless, you’re a fun, and entertaining writer, living a joyful life, who enjoys experiencing it through writing and sharing with others. Once I discovered you were an anthropology major, and this whole thing is probably a natural outcrop of your fascination with studying people, I think I finally got it. Keep experimenting, it’s fun to read, and I apologize for judging too quickly. -I can relate with my own male version of the same series of awkward and strange dates. But, unfortunately, I’ve never written them down. Enough said, I’m starting to sound like a dating blogger myself. Sincerely, and my apologies. Jason

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Thank you, Jason- apology most heartily accepted and comments most thoroughly appreciated. I like sharing stories, I like making people laugh and I like (as you guessed) studying people. Sure I make a few silly comments here and there but I have, thankfully, come a long way since writing this post.

      Reply
  43. Emma Hayes

    I just started a blog today specifically to tell about my adventures living in Philly for the first time. I then stumbled upon your blog and saw that you live in Philly.. wild! I look forward to reading your posts 🙂

    Reply
  45. lindseyblei91

    So glad to have found this…and you, in a non seductive way! Haha. I am an anthropology major and graduating this December. Finally great to find some one who’s stories are so interesting and in with such fun way of writing! Can’t wait to read more, and hopefully learn quite a lot!

    Reply
    • Kat Richter

      Awesome! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Where are you graduating from? Any plans for what to do after once you finish your Anthro degree?

      Reply
      • lindseyblei91

        I am graduating from University of Nevada Reno. Going to take off a year or two to save up some money and visit a few more places (counter productive to saving, I know haha) and hopefully find work that I can enter into with just an undergrad (preferably not just field work for CRM) until I begin my masters program, then I hope to do my PhD in London.

        Reply
        • Kat Richter

          Awesome, that sounds great! London has some great programs. Plus PhDs there are a lot less expensive and much shorter too 🙂

          Reply
  47. trulyunplugged

    Hi, Kat…Truly here (Truly is my first name). I am sooooo delighted to “meet” you, and I love your intro…it’s informative, whimsical, and intriguing 🙂

    Reply
      • trulyunplugged

        Thank you for making the time….I am pretty clueless about formatting my blog….I’m really looking forward to reading your posts….I’m on day 5 of 10 days off from work…I’m a social worker on a Child&Youth Mental Health team, so the “staycation” timing is ideal given that we go to the schools to conduct counselling sessions. Having this glorious down-time allows for me to leisurely read more posts/comment…truth be told, by the time I get home from work (workday typically ends at 4:30), I’m pretty mentally tired and lucky to read more than 5 or so depending on length…and by the time the weekend comes, I try to write my own and catch up on a bunch of reads…I can tell I’ll look for yours 🙂 Take care 🙂

        Reply

Leave a comment

Basic HTML is allowed. Your email address will not be published.

Subscribe to this comment feed via RSS