Kenneth Walker Dance Project (KWDP) was founded by nationally recognized choreographer Kenneth Walker to develop and share original contemporary ballet through dynamic collaboration and a strong drive for artistic innovation. KWDP’s mission is to produce concerts across Los Angeles County, particularly in underserved communities, featuring bold choreography, skilled dancers, and vibrant music. By keeping performances affordable, KWDP strives to cultivate a new generation of dance audiences. While primarily presenting Kenneth Walker’s ballets, the company has recently added works by Gerald Arpino and Salvatore Aiello to its repertoire.

 

The company has performed at festivals across Los Angeles and California, including Riverside, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Palm Desert, Orange County, MAD BAD Festival in the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Coast Summerfest in Monterey, Golden West College Professional Dance Invitational, as well as at events and conferences in Virginia, New York, and twice at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. KWDP has been presented by El Camino College Center for the Arts, Brand Associates, The Brand Library, and Moorpark College Dance Department. KWDP’s work has received positive recognition from both audiences and dance professionals. Pointe magazine selected KWDP’s video collage of Transient Memory as the editor’s choice for August 2008. In 2007, KWDP received a nomination for a Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Performance by a Company. John Meehan, former director of Hong Kong Ballet, described Walker’s Savage Grace as a dynamic and inventive work. Alun Jones, former director of Louisville Ballet, called it ‘tremendous’. For several years, KWDP’s home performances were selected as a Top Dance Pick of the Week by dance writer Ann Haskins.

 

In 2012, the company produced The Ballet Project, inviting other Los Angeles ballet companies and choreographers to debut new ballets for KWDP’s audience. In 2013, KWDP sponsored a master class with Arturo Fernandez, renowned Ballet Master of Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Since then, KWDP has hosted Ilaria Guerra, a dancer with LINES, who has taught master classes. KWDP also produces Balletfest, a live festival featuring up-and-coming choreographers and notable guest artists.

 

KWDP’s repertoire combines classical technique with a contemporary approach. Kenneth Walker encourages his dancers to share their ideas during the creative process and supports them in developing their artistic voices. Mr. Walker has choreographed 25 world premieres for KWDP and contributed 21 works originally created for other companies. Four ballets in the repertoire feature music composed or specially produced for KWDP by artists both nationally and internationally. The repertoire’s range reflects Walker’s eclectic interests, encompassing works that are athletic, inventive, and engaging.