Shelby Lawson
Shelby Lawson is a dancer from sunny Tempe, Arizona. She started dancing at the age of six and attended Arizona School for the Arts, where she trained with Ballet Arizona in ballet, modern, flamenco, and jazz. Shelby continued her dance training lightly through a move to Germany, her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University, and the years following graduation. However, it was during the pandemic that she found her way back to dance, taking barre at the kitchen counter every morning during lockdown. When the world opened, Shelby moved
Amanda Rene Beasley
From Phoenix Arizona, Amanda is a former dancer with American Contemporary Ballet, Boulder Ballet, Contempo Arts Productions, Columbia Classical Ballet & State Street Ballet. Amanda has performed in many works such as Mina in West Coast Ballet’s Dracula, Kevin Jenkins “Chaplin”, Concerto Barocco, American Contemporary Ballet’s “Homecoming”, La Bayadere 2nd shade, Nutcracker as Sugar Plum Fairy, Contempo Arts Productions “Fused” and many more. Amanda trained with Ballet Arizona and Master Ballet Academy, prior to moving to New York City to train with Erin Forrest at Forrest Academy of
Kiara Kinghorn
Kiara Kinghorn is a recent graduate of the Masters of Fine Arts Program in Dance at the University of California Irvine where she studied under a luminous faculty including Lar Lubovitch. Originally from Ventura County, Kiara’s training influences include: Westside Ballet, Ballet Austin in Texas, and The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. She holds a BFA in Dance from UC Santa Barbara where she graduated with honors, and presented an evening-long dance theater piece based on TS Eliot’s The Wasteland. Currently, Kiara serves as dance
Kathryn Kalamaras
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, grew up a bun head in Crystal Lake, Illinois and attended Alma college in Michigan on scholarship where she received her B.A in Dance Performance. Throughout her career she has studied ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, character, jazz, hip hop, and yoga. Kat studied and performed at the American Country Dance Association (ACDA) two years in a row and choreographed her own full length show as her senior thesis. Kat also attended American Dance Festival’s summer intensive in 2016, studied
Carmen Callahan
From Seattle, Washington, Carmen studied at Pacific Northwest Ballet School under the direction of Peter Boal. While at PNB school, she attended summer programs at San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Miami City Ballet on full scholarship. She also studied under Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as a member of their graduate program from 2015-2018. In 2018 she moved to Los Angeles, joining American Contemporary Ballet as an apprentice, and was promoted to the main company in 2019. While at ACB, Carmen had the opportunity to
Know before you go
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-lmc708ne' admin_preview_bg=''] Here are some things that may make your life easier attending the event. The nearest parking is in Lot 3. Parking is $10. There is no attendant; you'll need to find a yellow parking machine. The signage for University Theater is obstructed from Lot 3. Head towards Edison Theater and keep going until you see the stairs. Take the stairs to the lobby on the 2nd floor. A ramp is available on the other side of the
Andrew Alexander
Andrew Alexander is a versatile dancer from California State University Dominguez Hills. He recently achieved his Associate of Arts degree in dance from Long Beach City College in 2021. Andrew investigated multiple dance forms throughout his college career, such as African, Samba, Jazz, Modern, and Hip-Hop. He perpetuated the idea that his ability to dance without ballet training would only take him so far; as a student at CSUDH, Andrew finally discovered his passion for ballet. His debut in a ballet was by Keneth Walker. Inspired by
Jacob Taylor
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-llx166uv' admin_preview_bg=''] [caption id="attachment_3435" align="alignright" width="262"] Jacob Taylor[/caption] Jacob Taylor is a graduate of the Ballet Performance Program at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where he was coached by Violette Verdy and Michael Vernon. His performance career includes dancing for such companies as Boulder Ballet, Christopher Caines Dance, Eglevsky Ballet, and FJK Dance. Mr. Taylor has taught at Peridance Capezio Center, Colorado Ballet Academy, Ridgefield School of Dance and 92NY. He has been commissioned to choreograph new works for
Kelsey Morgaine
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-llrbxrrj' admin_preview_bg=''] Kelsey Morgaine is from the San Francisco Bay Area. Mentored by ballerina Mariana Sobral, Kelsey competed with Dance Attack! Studios in ballet, contemporary, tap and jazz. In 2012, she joined the Santa Clara Ballet. At Santa Clara Ballet under Josefa Reyes’ direction, Kelsey had the honor of learning and performing ‘Alamat’; with choreography inspired by traditional Philippine dances: pangalay and pandanggo sa ilau. In 2016 Kelsey became the youngest founding company member of PERSpectives Dance Co., directed by
Victoria Manning
Victoria Manning grew up in Massachusetts and trained with Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. She attended summer intensive programs across the country and trained with Philadelphia Ballet, Boston Ballet, Ballet Austin, Brookline Ballet, Orlando Ballet and Washington Ballet. After high school Manning attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and Kelley School of Business where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance and an Outside Field in Marketing. There she had the privilege of working with Kyra Nichols, Carla Korbes, Michael Vernon, Shawn Stevens, Sarah Wroth, and Sasha
Elijah Pressman
Elijah S. Pressman trained at Lauridsen Ballet Centre in Torrance. California. Elijah’s repertoire includes ballets by Robert Kelley, Laurence Blake, Jon Cristofori, Kenneth Walker, William Whitener, and Daniel Baudendistal. He has attended the summer intensives of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, Utah Regional Ballet, is a two-time full scholarship recipient to the Craft of Choreography Conference run by Regional Dance America and was selected to dance at the International Ballet Conference in Jackson, Mississippi. Elijah is a founding member of KWDP.
Emma Silagy
Emma Silagy began her dance career at two and a half years of age, having accumulated more than nineteen years of classical ballet training and nine years of modern/contemporary experience. Recently completing her education at California State University, Long Beach, Emma earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dance with a minor in Event Planning Management. While training at CSU Long Beach, Emma was afforded the privilege to work under many distinguished choreographers such as Lorin Johnson, Andrew Vaca, Rebecca Bryant, and Rebecca Lemme. In addition to her choreographic opportunities
Guest artists
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-lljwoxlj' admin_preview_bg=''] Skylar Burson is originally from Long Beach, CA. He began his formal ballet training at the Lauridsen Ballet Centre in Torrance, CA. Throughout his training, Skylar has participated in many summer dance programs across the country; most recently with River North Dance Chicago. He was also selected as a performer at the 2010 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. Skylar has set original works on South Bay Ballet and Utah Regional Ballet II that were selected to perform at
Xochitl Velasquez
Xochitl Velazquez began dancing at the age of 6. At age 9, she began her ballet training at San Diego Civic Youth Ballet. She later went on to train in Tampa, Florida at Orlando Ballet School and Next Generation Ballet School under the direction of Peter Stark. In 2012, she received a scholarship at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. In that same year, Xochitl completed American Ballet Theater’s National Training Curriculum in New York with the highest score in her class. She danced at America’s Ballet
Laura Mauldin
Laura Smith Mauldin, born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California began figure skating at the age of four and dancing ballet at the age of six. During a thirteen-year competitive skating career which took Laura and her brother/partner all over the U.S. and to Europe for competitions, ballet became merely a side line for cross training and was eventually abandoned. But Laura returned to ballet at age eighteen, after retiring from her ice skating career, when she began attending Moorpark College, where her love of dance was
Tracy Jones
Tracy Jones trained under Colleen O’ Callahan, Alicia Head, and Diane Lauridsen at Lauridsen Ballet Centre. She has worked with such choreographers as Ron Cunningham, Robert Kelly, Daniel Baudendistel, Julie Shulman, Gina Patterson, and Stephen Mills. She has danced for South Bay Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, and in the trainee program of Ballet Austin. Tracy has worked as a guest artist for Riverside Ballet, San Pedro Ballet, and many others. She has been in numerous premieres for KWDP and continues to be thrilled working with the company. Catch the
Michael Hill
Michael Hill grew up dancing, leaving home at 15 to pursue it professionally. He was trained at the Next Generation Ballet, Canada's National Ballet School, Orlando Ballet School and Ballet West Academy Professional Training Division, as well as with masters such as Bruce Marks, Dinna Bjorn and Alonzo King. He has performed several corps roles with Ballet West, principal and soloist roles with Ballet West II, the Ballet Repertory Theater of New Mexico, Queen City Ballet, New West Ballet, and has also competed in the National High School
Olivia Hamilton
Olivia Hamilton originally from east Tennessee, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Belhaven University in Jackson, MS (Cum Laude)and currently dances with professional contemporary company FUSE Modern Dance of Orange County. Olivia was a part of the Steps of Faith Dance Company in Cartersville, Georgia from 2008-2010 . Olivia has trained extensively in classical Vaganova ballet and Graham modern as well as tap, improvisation, aerial, and contemporary. She has trained under Leann Alduenda and , Oliver Steele of SteeleDance in NYC, Desmond Richardson and Dwight
Morgan Davison
Morgan Davison started her dance training at Riverside Ballet Arts under the direction of Glenda Carhart and then furthered her studies at Ballet Pacifica. Morgan began her professional career with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. She continued her education on scholarship at the University of Utah, dancing with the Department of Ballet’s resident student company, Utah Ballet. She was then invited to join Nashville Ballet’s second company. While in Nashville, she became more interested in exploring modern and contemporary dance by working with Banning Bouldin and Gina Patterson.
Gia Calhoun
Gia Calhoun trained with Roberto Almaguer and Julia Ortega and also at California Dance Theatre under the direction of Kim Maselli, Stanley Holden, and Charles Maple. She attended summer programs at the Joffrey Ballet School, on scholarship, North Carolina School of the Arts, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Ostrava Workshop in the Czech Republic. Gia attended UC Irvine where she earned a B.A. in dance, and she completed a Pilates teacher training program with Diane Diefenderfer at Studio du Corps in Costa Mesa. She danced with Columbia
Ilaria Guerra and Lorris Eichinger
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-llfhxh1j' admin_preview_bg=''] [caption id="attachment_3390" align="alignright" width="300"] Ilaria Guerra[/caption] Ilaria Guerra was born in Torino, Italy. At the age of five, she moved to Palos Verdes Estates, California where she trained in classical ballet at Lauridsen Ballet Center, performing with their pre-professional company, South Bay Ballet. Ilaria graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Arts Management in 2013. She joined dawsondancesf
Emma Giselle Mertens
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-llbhodij' admin_preview_bg=''] [caption id="attachment_3372" align="alignright" width="216"] Emma Giselle Mertens[/caption] Emma Giselle Mertens was born and raised in Torrance, California. At the age of three her parents enrolled in her first ballet class and she fell in love with the joy of movement. She began training at Peninsula School of Performing Arts (PSPA) during middle school, under the tutelage of Vera Ninkovic, Roberto Almaguer, Hasmik Amirian, Tita Boulger and Marina Kalinina. During her time at PSPA, Mertens performed many lead roles
Jeff Raschiatore
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-llbh2rip' admin_preview_bg=''] [caption id="attachment_3373" align="alignright" width="178"] Jeff Raschiatore[/caption] Jeffrey Raschiatore, is a Southern California choreographer, dancer, and educator; he began his movement training prior to his classical dance training as a martial artist in the style of Shaolin Kempo Karate in 1987 under the tutelage of 10th Degree Grand Master, Robert Bombalier; and after 3 years of classical dance training, Jeffrey began his classical dance career dancing with Architexture Dance Company, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Keith Glassman and Dancers, Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, The Maple
Jana Taylor
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-llbgu6re' admin_preview_bg=''] [caption id="attachment_3374" align="alignright" width="300"] Jana Taylor[/caption] Jana Taylor is a choreographer, dancer, teacher, and the artistic director of her company Jana Taylor + Dancers. Jana’s choreography has been featured at Los Angeles Dance Festival, Highways Performance Space, MashUp's International Women’s Day Festival at Bootleg Theater, SoCal Dance Invitational, Dance in the Desert Las Vegas, RAW Artists OC, NDEO National Conference, Concordia University, and beyond. As a choreographer, Jana was a recipient of Dance Resource Center LA’s HomeGrown choreography
Marine de Vachon
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l675yog2' admin_preview_bg=''] Marine de Vachon, born in France, Marine began studying dance in Denver, CO under Margaret McLaughlin, former ballet mistress of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. After moving back to France, she integrated the Conservatoire de Marius Petipa in Paris. While there, she was privileged to perform in Jerome Savary's Cenerentola at the Paris Opera. She continued her training at the Conservatoire National et Régional de Nice and at North Carolina School of the Arts before earning a BFA in Ballet
Stella Ng
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l675pj8n' admin_preview_bg=''] Stella Sing Yiun Ng holds a Master’s of Fine Arts in Dance at University of California, Irvine. She also holds a BA in International Business and Dance at CSULB. She was awarded many first prizes at renowned international ballet competitions, where she was given a full scholarship to a ballet school in New York. Stella joined the Anaheim Ballet Company and Festival Ballet Theatre as an artist during her time in California where she performed with international
Maté Szentes
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l675ddw1' admin_preview_bg=''] Maté Szentes is originally from Budapest, Hungary and began his training at the age of six. He studied at the Hungarian Dance Academy while attending summer programs at North Carolina Dance Theater in Charlotte, NC on full scholarships. Upon graduation he joined the Hungarian National Ballet where he danced for 3 years performing corps de ballet and soloist roles in the company’s many classical and contemporary productions. In 2012 he moved to California and joined the Sacramento Ballet
Zoe Marinello-Kohn
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l674kcxc' admin_preview_bg=''] Zoe Marinello-Kohn is a professional ballet dancer, choreographer, actor, artist, composer and dance instructor. Zoe received her ballet training at the San Francisco Ballet School and the Academy of Ballet in San Francisco. Since then Zoe has worked professionally with the San Diego Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, Elle Vie Dance Company and the Osage Ballet. Zoe is a company member of the San Diego Ballet where she frequently performs in Principle and Soloist
Joyce Lo
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l674bg5k' admin_preview_bg=''] Joyce Lo is a dance and collaborative artist, educator, and choreographer whose movement practice is rooted in classical ballet and shaped by contemporary and modern dance forms. She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA Honours degree from York University, specializing in Dance Performance and Choreography. There she was privileged to study with esteemed faculty including John Ottmann, Julia Sasso, and Helen Jones, and was also awarded several fine arts awards and scholarships. Most recently, she also completed
Jestoni “Jet” Dagdag
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l673w6ca' admin_preview_bg=''] Jestoni “Jet” Dagdag is a choreographer, dancer, instructor, and dance producer based in Long Beach, Ca. He was born in the Philippines, and moved to the United States at the age of 14. He was introduced to his first formal dance class at Fullerton College, and soon became deeply passionate with the artform. A few years later, he transferred to the University of California, Irvine. There, he earned a BFA in Dance Performance in 2015, and received
José Costas
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l673p7ou' admin_preview_bg=''] José Costas teaches ballet, jazz and Latin dance at Orange Coast College. He began his dance training in his native Puerto Rico, under the direction of Julie Mayoral and Lolita San Miguel. He earned his BS and M. Ed. degrees from Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and his MFA from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. José was a principal dancer with Ballet Hispanico of New York for nine years. During his tenure with Ballet Hispanico,
Gerald Arpino
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l673fota' admin_preview_bg=''] Gerald Arpino, as co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet in New York with Robert Joffrey in 1956, Mr. Arpino was the nationally known company’s associate director for many years and, upon Joffrey’s 1988 death, succeeded him as artistic director. In 1995, Arpino and the company moved to Chicago. A leading dancer with the company until a 1963 injury, Arpino choreographed his first Joffrey work, “Ropes”, in 1961. In subsequent years, he created more than a third of the Joffrey’s
Salvatore Aiello
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-l672zmyp' admin_preview_bg=''] Salvatore Aiello (February 26, 1944-October 14, 1995) was an American dancer, choreographer, and the artistic director of North Carolina Dance Theatre (1985-1995) where he put his unique imprint on the company. Salvatore Aiello's early career as a dancer included the Tri-City Ballet Guild in Boston and dancing in theater productions that include Kiss Me, Kate; Guys and Dolls; Oklahoma; and Finian's Rainbow. Aiello's professional career included American Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Donald McKayle and Company, Joffrey Ballet under
Adult Ballet Intensive
Location: Peninsula School Of Performing ArtsPeninsula Center700 Silver Spur Road/Bart Earle RdRolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 Geared towards the beginning and intermediate dancer, each day consists of ballet class, pre-pointe activities, a ballet variation class, and conditioning for ballet with the dancers of KWDP. All students will need to fill out a waiver absolving the studio and KWDP of responsibility should you get injured participating in this physical activity. Please arrive early to fill out necessary paperwork and make payment. Please bring a mat or thick towel
BALLETFEST INFO
Are you a ballet choreographer or company looking to have your work shown? Submit your work by June 12 to have it considered for Balletfest. Balletfest will take place at CSU Dominguez Hills University Theater September 3 at 8pm, with technical rehearsals happening September 2 and 3. Submit your information here https://bit.ly/BalletFest
Alonzo King, LINES Ballet Master Class
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-ko517nmf' admin_preview_bg=''] Master class with Alonzo King LINES Ballet artist, Ilaria Guerra July 11 10am San Pedro City Ballet 1231 S Pacific Ave, San Pedro $25 ILARIA GUERRA was born in Torino, Italy. At the age of five, she moved to Palos Verdes Estates, California where she trained in classical ballet at Lauridsen Ballet Center, performing with their pre-professional company, South Bay Ballet. Ilaria graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University with a Bachelor of
The alternate biography
I’ve never felt like a part of the ballet world. I love ballet. I love watching ballet, I love working with ballet dancers, but I’ve never felt welcomed into the ballet world. I never danced for Disney, so I never felt like a part of the Orange County dance scene (but I did dance for Ballet Pacifica). I never enjoyed taking classes in Santa Monica (parking was never fun), so no one in that scene knew who I was. I came up too late to take with
KWDP summer intensives
[av_textblock size='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' font_color='' color='' id='' custom_class='' av_uid='av-ko517nmf' admin_preview_bg=''] Riverside Intensive July 25 Hosted by Inland Empire Dance Center This summer take the opportunity to delve deeper into your craft. In this one day event you'll have the opportunity to work in a small class with the director and dancers of KWDP. You'll be able to get individualized instruction, and take Contemporary and mat Pilates with Olivia Hamilton and Morgan Davison, artists of KWDP. Cost of this one day intensive is $25 Schedule of events (subject to change). 10-11 Mat
Carmen updates
Due to ongoing social distancing and an uncertain future for live performances we have decided to postpone our premiere of Carmen until 2021. We are in the process of developing virtual programming in the near future. Please check back for more information.
2018 Q&A with KW
Kenneth recently sat down with a few of the dancers with KWDP for a Q&A session. Here’s the result. Q: What is the reason you started KWDP? A: I was looking for an opportunity to work on a more regular basis with some of the people I had been working with on a few freelance projects. There seemed to be a desire from early audiences to see more of what we were doing so we took the plunge. Q: Which is KWDP longest performed piece? A: Do you mean the oldest
STEAM and Dance
[av_textblock size='' font_color='' color='' av-medium-font-size='' av-small-font-size='' av-mini-font-size='' av_uid='av-jrdxyrm9' admin_preview_bg=''] Dance- A healthy gateway to STEAM practice. Why is dance important? Dance is the physical manifestation of all that STEAM embodies Dance is a physical geometry, it is problem-solving, spatial awareness, physical intelligence, and mathematics encompassed in one activity. As we become more invested in analytical and creative jobs oftentimes we become less understanding of our physicality. The older we get this becomes a detriment to our overall health. It has been generally recognized that good health combines the wellness
My favorite dance
One of my adult students asked what my favorite dance to perform was. I didn't have many starring roles in my career, but the first dance that came to mind was Con Amore. It's a dance by Lew Christensen, one of the founding fathers of ballet in the West. It's a silly dance about Amazons, thieves, and a wife with too many suitors. I was fortunate to play two roles in this dance, the Sailor and the Thief. I received many compliments as the Sailor. Someone even
From dancer to choreographer part, 2
Part II To Read Part 1 click here. From dancer to choreographer, the leap can be made when you seize opportunities, when you overcome your hesitations and when you access your own artistry and creativity. In the second of this 2-part interview series with Kenneth Walker, we learn that collaborations make a choreographer. So when did I feel like I was a professional choreographer?? Turns out
From Dancer to choreographer, Part 1
From dancer to choreographer, the leap can be made when you seize opportunities, when you overcome your hesitations and when you access your own artistry and creativity. In this 2-part series, we learn how Kenneth Walker emerged as a choreographer… Part I – An emerging choreographer. The running joke is that I started choreographing because I couldn't learn any of the steps in class, so I'd just make it up as I went along. That's only partially true. I would often blank out in petite allegro, even though I loved
My thoughts on Kenneth Walker Dance Project
We just found this student review from the last time we performed at El Camino College. "El Camino College Center for the Arts presents Kenneth Walker Dance Project at the Marsee Auditorium. They were celebrating the 10th year anniversary as a company. My friend and I are taking a online dance class. We have to critique the the performances. I’m not really into style of ballet but their performances were fantastic. I think they did such an amazing job on their costumes, music and most important their dance." Read more
Ballet classes with Kenneth
Looking for an adult ballet class? Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30am Intermediate Adult Ballet Peninsula School of Performing Arts, Lunada Bay Studio 2325 Palos Verdes Dr. West, Palos Verdes Estate Fridays open Adult Ballet Drop in class, $16, Professional Rate $13, Cash or Venmo10am San Pedro City Ballet, 1231 S Pacific Ave Looking for private lessons for your aspiring professional or need a brush up on your skill? All of the KWDP artists are available for private lessons. Contact us for more details, ken@kennethwalkerdanceproject.org
Classes with Kenneth Walker
Looking to take class from Kenneth? You can take class with him at: Peninsula School of Performing Arts Tuesdays/Thursdays, 9:30am Peninsula Center Studio 700 Silver Spur Road Suites 106 & 107 Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 San Pedro City Ballet Fridays, 10am 1231 S Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731
What’s it all about?
I'm often asked what my works are about: That’s the $50,000 question. What’s the dance about? There is a deep need and desire to understand what we are witnessing. We want you to know that your perception of what you saw is as important as what we intended the dance to be. Your viewpoint is just as valid as the statement in any synopsis that you might read about a dance. So often with modern art, dance, etc. we want to be entertained and release our responsibility of understanding
Read a rare in-depth interview with the AD
Marisa Johnston a board member for Kenneth Walker Dance Project recently sat down with Kenneth to ask about his start as a choreographer and the start of the company. The result is this rare in-depth interview. When you were young, were you surrounded by a family that embraced dance? Kenneth: I think I was inadvertently surrounded by art when I was young. I come from a dancing family. They all danced at parties. Plus my aunts and uncles on my mom’s side were involved in local musical theater productions
Continue Working
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Between Body & Soul
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Dance to Express not to Impress
https://themeforest.net/user/elated-themes
Awesome Silhouette
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Amazing Inspiration
Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Etiam rhoncus. Maecenas tempus, tellus eget condimentum rhoncus, sem quam semper libero, sit amet adipiscing sem neque sed ipsum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis Theme natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient
Ballerina Silhouettes
Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Etiam rhoncus. Maecenas tempus, tellus eget condimentum rhoncus, sem quam semper libero, sit amet adipiscing sem neque sed ipsum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis Theme natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient
Breathtaking Game
Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Etiam rhoncus. Maecenas tempus, tellus eget condimentum rhoncus, sem quam semper libero, sit amet adipiscing sem neque sed ipsum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis Theme natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient
Don’t Walk! Dance!
Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Etiam rhoncus. Maecenas tempus, tellus eget condimentum rhoncus, sem quam semper libero, sit amet adipiscing sem neque sed ipsum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis Theme natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient
King of Dancers
Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Etiam rhoncus. Maecenas tempus, tellus eget condimentum rhoncus, sem quam semper libero, sit amet adipiscing sem neque sed ipsum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis Theme natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient
You can make the difference!
KWDP has embarked on an incredible journey, to create our largest and most ambitious work to date, a re-imagining of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.This ballet is being created because of the incredible artists of KWDP. The company members get the remarkable experience of having a new work created on them. There is almost nothing more exciting for an artist! KWDP can't wait to perform The Seasons for you this summer at our annual performance. Be a part of the process! By contributing, YOU are creating a new ballet! Our
Suburban Symphony
Saturday, April 23rd / 8PM Motion Flux Scholarship Benefit Concert presented by Moorpark College Music & Dance Department. Come catch KWDP dancers Tracy Jones and Nathan Ortiz performing the opening duet of Suburban Symphony. Location: Performing Arts Center, Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, CA / CLICK HERE to purchase TICKETS or call Box Office 805) 378.1485 ($16 Adults, $9 Students, Seniors, Staff) >all concert proceeds to benefit MC Dance Scholarship Fund<
Winter Intensive
Come dance with KWDP for the holidays! Hosted by CSU, Dominguez Hills Dance Department December 21, 2015 1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson, CA 90747 Dance Room A-102 inside the gym. Kenneth Walker Dance Project is doing its first ever Dance Intensive. Come study with Kenneth and the artists of KWDP in Ballet, Modern, and more. $60 for the day or $16 per class Floor warm up 11-12 Modern 12-1:30 Lunch 1:30-2:30 Ballet 2:30-4 Repertory 4-5 For more information contact us at ken@kennethwalkerdanceproject.org
December News
December 15, we are performing in Temecula. The company will be performing at Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Tickets are only $5 and you get to see this up and coming company in Hum and the solo Tuesday. Come study with KWDP this December! Kenneth Walker Dance Project will be conducting its first ever Winter Intensive December 21. This event will be hosted by CSU, Dominguez Dance Department. Take classes in Ballet, Modern, Repertory, and more from the artists of Kenneth Walker Dance Project.
KWDP comes to Ventura
Kenneth Walker Dance Project will be performing Hum and Soft Ambient Pulse as the guests of Moorpark College Dance Department April 23-26. KWDP continues to expand its sphere of influence and is thrilled to perform for the students of Moorpark College. Tickets are $15 and available from Moorpark College Center for the Performing Arts.
MTC -New Works Project 2014
MOVEMENT THEATRE COLAB NEW WORKS PROJECT 2014 "Spring, choreographed by Kenneth Walker II with music by Vivaldi and Max Richter was both literally and figuratively a splash of light and color upon the stage. Unified intricate hand gestures, technical balletic lines/movements combined with the dancers’ radiant smiles and fiery attire make this piece sear into the memory."
10 Famous Dancers named….Ken
We are famous! If you don't believe take our word for it, check out this blog. 10 Famous Dancers Named Ken
Movement Theatre CoLab Summer Intensive
Come to Dance Creations and enjoy a couple weeks of dance master classes with such notable teachers and choreographers: Wendi Baity, Ken Datugan, Beth Megill, Kenneth Walker II and more. Kenneth will be teaching ballet and creating new material at the Movement Theatre CoLab Summer Intensive in Simi Valley June 26th and July 3. Classes are open on a drop-in basis. Contact us at ken@kennethwalkerdanceproject or Movement Theatre CoLab for more information.
Dance History Project of Southern California
The Dance History Project’s goal is to observe and preserve the history of dance making and performing in Southern California. The focus is on those events and artists, past and present, whose work has been important to the field of live professional dance in Southern California. It includes the contributions of dancers, companies, educators, presenters, artistic collaborators, historians, and critics. Kenneth Walker and Kenneth Walker Dance Project have been added to this roster showing the company's importance to the advancement of ballet and dance in Southern California. To view
Tickets now onsale
Tickets are now onsale for our August 10, 2013 show. Kenneth Walker Dance Project presents Trajectorie Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theatre at 7:30PM. Trajectorie will feature world premieres, company premieres, and the return to repertoire of audience favorites. The dance "Savage Grace" will make its company premiere. Savage Grace was commissioned by South Bay Ballet and was the closing ballet at the Regional Dance America dance conference when it was performed. This highly regarded dance is finally making its way into our rep with the help of the Los Angeles
Donate to the new ballet
Come help us raise funds for the newest ballet. KWDP is creating a new ballet with costumes by Michael Pacciorini, music by Kena Rohi Custage (the composer of Focus on the Middle Distance), and choreography by Kenneth Walker. Your donations will help make the newest work happen.
Amber Ajluni
Amber began her training at Ballet San Jose with Donna Delcini, Lise LaCour, and Dalia Rawson, where she danced in various school and company performances. In Southern California she has danced for Anaheim Ballet, performing in the works of Laurence and Sarma Rosenberg, including The Nutcracker, The Awakening of the Flora, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She has also danced with Santa Monica Contemporary Ballet. This is her second season with Kenneth Walker Dance Project and her repertoire includes Groove Juice and Focus on the Middle Distance. Meet
Dominika Pietrzyk
Dominika Pietrzyk began her dance training at Steps in Rodeo, CA at the age of 3. At age 13, she decided to pursuit a professional ballet career. She joined Western Ballet where she trained under Eric Bourman, Alexi Zubiria, Linda Rickert, and Kai Davis. Here, she performed in many ballets, such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, as well as many original works by Yanis Pikieris. Dominika furthered her studies by attending summer sessions at American Ballet Theater, Alabama, City Ballet of San Diego,
Master Class
We have huge news for us! June 22, 2013 from 3-5:15pm in the rehearsal halls of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center of Los Angeles we will be having a master class taught by Arturo Fernandez, Ballet Master for the World Famous Alonzo King LINES Ballet. A native of California, Mr. Fernandez has choreographed for James Sewell Ballet, Inland Pacific Ballet, among others. For more than two decades he has been an integral and part of Alonzo King LINES Dance Center. He has staged Mr.
Upcoming Performances
KWDP is back at the Pasadena Dance Festival. We are performing our latest work, Soft Ambient Pulse, on February 16 at Lineage Performing Arts Center at 7pm. For tickets visit, http://lineagedance.org/festival/feb-16/
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KWDP as shot by Rey Leal
Catch a glimpse of this beautiful black and white photo set by Rey.
Michael Pacciorini
Michael Pacciorini, Costume Designer As both an educational and professional designer, Michael’s award-winning work including Film, Television and Dance has been seen throughout California, Texas, Illinois, and Washington. Local credits include: South Coast Repertory, Laguna Playhouse, West Coast Ensemble, California Repertory Company, Long Beach Playhouse, International City Theatre, Ballet Pacifica, Alternative Repertory Theatre, Tiffany Theatre, and the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Additionally, he has worked as a consulting Designer for such companies as Six Flags in California, Texas and Illinois, Disney in Japan and Sea World in California and
Steve Ellis
Steve Ellis, Lighting Designer is the Technical director for Laxson Auditorium, California State University, Chico. He has worked with Bella Lewitzky, Chico Community Ballet, and Kenneth Walker on several projects. He has created lighting for each ballet of Kenneth's Chico Community Ballet has in their repertoire. This is his fourth season lighting for KWDP.
New Photos
We have lots of new photos on our Facebook page for you to enjoy. One set is from a photo shoot with dance photographer Paul Antico. The remaining new photos were taken at the dress rehearsal for the show Little by Little, AKA Poco a Poco.
KWDP presents: Little by little, AKA Poco a Poco
LOS ANGELES, CA: July 5, 2011— Kenneth Walker Dance Project (KWDP), a contemporary ballet company, premieres new work along with audience favorites for the seventh season in a row in an evening entitled "Little by Little, AKA Poco a Poco" one night only on Saturday, August 13, 2011, 7:30 pm at Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theatre, California State University Long Beach, 6200 East Atherton, Street, Long Beach CA 90840. Tickets are $13 presale, $18 at the door, $10 for students/seniors/DRC Members. All purchases at the door are cash/check only. DRC, student, and senior tickets, please contact us for a discount code at ken@kennethwalkerdanceproject.org. Tickets are available at www.kennethwalkerdanceproject.org/tickets.
Pay Our Rent Party!
Let's Party! June 25 from 6:30pm-9:30pm at the home of one our fantastic board members, we will be hosting one of our famous pay our rent cocktail parties. This is a great opportunity to meet the dancers, talk to fellow patrons, and show your support for the company. We're suggesting a donation of $11 to help fund programming for our 2012 season. We will be making a special announcement at the party, so don't miss it. We ask that you RSVP at ken@kennethwalkerdanceproject to receive the address.
Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater
The Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater is located on the south side of Atherton Street, between Meriam Way and Palo Verde Avenue. The building itself is located between the Carpenter Center and the Pyramid. Parking is available in lots #12 and #13, on the East and West sides of the building. There is some street parking.
Book Fair
We’re exited announce that we’re partnering with Barnes &Noble for a Book Fair. On Sunday May 1, 2011
Audience Comments
It was great! ...this is so wonderful. You are great! Absolutely amazing!! Variety + very enjoyable Fabulous! Very great show a lot of fun.
Kenneth Walker Dance Project’s, “From the Ground Up”
Kenneth Walker Dance Project, a southern California contemporary ballet company, premieres new works on August 14, 2010 at California State University, Long Beach.
Nichole Beeks
Nichole Beeks was born and raised in Long Beach California. She attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts where she trained in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance as well as musical theatre and film.
Diane Cheeseman
Diane Chesseman began dancing at age three in a Los Angeles preschool. She continued her training around the country including the Kirov Academy in Washington D.C., International School of Classical Ballet in Seattle, Washington and The Ailey School and Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
Gia Calhoun
Gia Calhoun trained at California Dance Theatre under the direction of Kim Maselli, Stanley Holden, and Charles Maple. She attended summer programs at the Joffrey Ballet School, on scholarship, North Carolina School of the Arts, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Ostrava Workshop in the Czech Republic.
Laura Mauldin
Laura Smith Mauldin, born and raised in Thousand Oaks, Calif. began figure skating at the age of four and dancing ballet at the age of six. During a thirteen-year competitive skating career which took Laura and her brother/partner all over the U.S. and to Europe for competitions,
Missy Moore
Missy Moore was born and raised in Southern California and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap and Contemporary. At the age of 5, she began her training at the Daria Bearden Dance Studio and soon after joined their travelling song and dance company. In high school she studied under Kristen Olsen Potts
Jeanine Ryan
Jeanine Ryan began her ballet training with the Chico Community Ballet under Deborah Jorritsma and Catherine Sullivan-Sturgeon. During this time, she performed various roles including Titania in Balanchine’s
Grace Tiangco
Grace Tiangco was born and raised in Davis, California where she started training at the age of 5 at Applegate Dance Studio under Lisa Applegate and was a member of the company for 6 years. She performed in several roles for ballets such as Firebird, Les Sylphides, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty