Kira Cogswell VanSteenkiste has been a competitive highland dancer since the age of 7 and has been a certified member teacher of the BATD since 2000. She has competed nationally and worldwide including the World Championships in Dunoon, Scotland. Kira has been a regional representative for the Midwest region for 15 consecutive years finishing at the United States Inter Regional Championships in the top six every year. As well as becoming a Four time National Highland Dance Adult Champion in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2005, she has also won over 35 championships.

Kira is originally from Minnesota, where she danced with Florence Hart at the Hart School of Dance. While attending college at Alma College in Alma, Michigan; she danced under the direction of Christie Freestone (Mid-Michigan HIghalnd Dance Academy). She credits all of her dance accomplishments to these women for teaching her the love of dance which she hopes to pass onto others.