Dance & Drama
Kirsten Barron Kinney graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine in 1997 where she double majored, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Choreography and in Dance Performance. While attending UCI, she was a member of Donald McKayle’s modern company Etude Ensemble, a soloist with the Fresno Ballet under the direction of Donald Bradburn and has returned to UCI as a guest choreographer for Bare Bones Dance Theatre and as a guest performer for the Donald McKayle’s Tribute.
Kirsten moved to Seattle where she has enjoyed her focus on dance education, earning a Pilates certification, and freelanced as a dancer and choreographer. Kirsten has directed youth programs, worked with many local and national dance schools and organizations such as the Gotta Dance, Westlake Dance Center, Cornish Summer Prep Program, Dance Masters of America, and has been involved in many of Seattle Theatre Group’s Education and Community Engagement programs. Kirsten performed and choreographed for the band, Queensrÿche, En L’air Dance, Westlake Dance Center, Physical Poetry, and Lions Club International. Kirsten is a former coach for the Shorecrest Hip Hop Team, and co-produced SC Hip Hop presents Physical Poetry with her husband, Rex Kinney.
Kirsten became involved with Seattle Theatre Group over 15 years ago as a teaching artist for STG’s DANCE This Intensive. Since then, she has been a part of the faculty for the DANCE This Camp, Dance for PD®, Broadway Inclusion Program and Disney Musicals in Schools®. She was also the Finale choreographer for DANCE This Performance, DANCE This at Folklife, Finale choreographer and featured choreographer for Global Party, rehearsal director the commission of Donald McKayle’s piece Shaker Life from Songs of the Disinherited (1972) and Adam Parson’s piece Flock. Kirsten has produced STG’s DANCE This Performance which includes national guest commissions by Chloé Arnold of Syncopated Ladies, Robert Garland of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Aaron Gordon former cast member of Hamilton, and Jamel Gains Creative Outlet of Brooklyn, New York.
Kirsten embraces a holistic approach to dance education and is passionate about teaching dancers to understand dance technique, body mechanics, and dance history while embracing their own artistry. She incorporates improvisation, choreography, a plethora of somatic practices, historical research, and relies on dance as a common denominator for bringing people together. Kirsten loves to remain a student always…she is inspired by all kinds of dance from all cultures, from her students of all ages and abilities, and loves sharing her experience and knowledge about the art of dance with others. She is excited to have joined Bellevue College as an adjunct professor in the Theatre and Dance Department in Fall of 2023.