About me:
KWDP is a contemporary ballet company in the South Bay. We're in the South Bay of Los Angeles and not San Francisco in case you were wondering. This is definitely not your dad's ballet company. We're something not to be missed. We've sold out every show to date and keep growing in audience size. Our best advertising is you the audience, so keep spreading the word.
This company was started with several principles n mind. Among these is that most companies hire according to a set of physical standards. It's my belief that a good dancer is a good dancer regardless of how tall or short they are or what the color of their skin is. Another basic belief I have is the fact that most ballet doesn't speak to our times or if it does speak to our times it's in a form that doesn't embrace the classical lexicon. I'm trying to bridge that gap.
The website is up: www.kennethwalkerdanceproject.org.
Who I'd like to meet: Kenneth Walker was born in Long Beach, CA and raised in the city of Torrance. He has been a guest artist under the direction of famed original Balanchine ballerina Yvonne Mounsey. Kenneth completed intensive workshops with Alonzo King the director of the Lines Contemporary Ballet as well as William Forsythe. Kenneth has also studied in workshops with Katherine Dunham, Donald Byrd, and Bella Lewitzky. He has appeared as a company member in such companies as Ballet Pacifica, Sacramento Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Minnesota Ballet, and Pasadena Dance Theatre.
His early training was with Diane Lauridsen of South Bay Ballet and later Paul Maure, Charles and Phillip Fuller and Cynthia Young at the Pasadena Dance Theatre. His first ballet was created at PDT and performed at the emerging choreographer's evening of the Regional Dance America/ Pacific festival. He went on to study dance at UCLA with classes in modern technique from Dan Wagoner, and Ron Brown as well as technique and composition from Pat Catterson. He left UCLA early to pursue a professional career in dance. Kenneth would eventually return to earn a B.A. in World Arts and Cultures.
His professional career began with the Sacramento Ballet under the direction of Ron Cunningham. He was one of the founding choreographers on the "Beer and Ballet" program, which presented cutting edge choreography in a relaxed and intimate setting. He performed in many of Ron Cunningham's works, as well as those of Lisa de Ribere, George Balanchine, Lew Christensen, Willam Christensen, David Allan, Molly Lynch, Bill Evans, Ronn Guidi, Choo-San Goh, Jacques Heim, David Allan, Jon Magnus, Jodie Gates, Susan Hadley, Anthony Tudor, and Michel Fokine. He has also had the pleasure of working with Ann Marie DeAngelo. He has performed on tour in Canada, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The latter tour was completed with the Minnesota Ballet in addition to extensive Midwest touring. In Guatemala, Kenneth performed alongside the National Ballet in one of his works in celebration of their 50th anniversary.
He has created dances for the Southern California Dance Theatre, Ballet Pacifica’s Dancer Choreography Project, San Pedro City Ballet, Dance Peninsula, DanceCorps, Petaluma City Ballet, Chico Community Ballet, Peninsula Dance Theater, South Bay Ballet, and Sacramento Ballet. He won the Southern California Dance Theater’s first Young Choreographers Award given at its choreography competition. Kenneth was the youngest finalist at the Sarasota Ballet of Florida's International Choreography Competition. Kenneth was unexpectedly thrust onstage to perform this ballet when a dancer incurred a last minute injury. His work has also been performed at the Regional Dance America/ Pacific festival on gala night, South Coast Dance Arts Alliance, Central Coast Summer Fest, Piccolo Spoleto, Los Angeles Dance Invitational, Palm Desert Under the Stars Choreography Festival, “Dance! Santa Monica” festival, Sacramento Area Dance Alliance, Spectrum Dance in L.A., and in the Ballet Pacifica Conservatory summer intensives.
Kenneth Walker Dance Project's Friend Space (Randomized)
I hope you are having a happy holiday season. Hope to see you soon,your on my mind a lot. Not only are you a very special dance partner but a very special friend!
www.cafepress.com/kwdp 
