Biography
Photograph by Dat Nguyen
Louisa Killian is a contemporary dance advocate, educator, and choreographer currently based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Her interests began as a drummer and creative writer and accumulated in the study of dance. Louisa is inspired by diverse rhythmic patterns, sound design, and spontaneous movement generated through improvisation. She advocates for dance as a significant academic pursuit and is a strong proponent for dance education for all ages. Louisa is the 2018 recipient of the L. Scott Marsh Mentorship Award at the University of Utah, and has taught dance workshops in New York, Texas, Utah, Idaho, and the New England area. She performed with University of Utah Performing Dance Company, BYU - Idaho Dance Alliance, The Dance Collaborative, and Aspire Modern Dance Company, and worked with Stephen Koester, Dmitri Peskov, Noriko Bell, Shannon Vance Mckechnie, Wendy Bone, Ashley Hoopes, and Gary Larsen. As a stage manager and rehearsal director, Louisa worked with Penny Saunders, Katie Sherman, Matthew Nenan, Michelle Wiles, Anna Azrieli, Brianna Lopez, and Molly Heller. She received an M.F.A. in Modern Dance from the University of Utah and a B.A. in English, and has served as adjunct faculty for Snow College and Brigham Young University.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
M.F.A., Modern Dance, University of Utah, 2015 – 2018.
B.A., English, Dance Minor, Brigham Young University – Idaho, 2009 – 2012.
Member of the National Dance Education Organization, 2019.
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Faculty, Brigham Young University, 2018 – present.
DANCE 440R: Contemporary Modern Dance Technique and Theory 4
DANCE 341R: Contemporary Modern Dance Technique Forms
DANCE 340R: Contemporary Modern Dance, Technique and Theory 3
DANCE 261: Freshman Seminar in Dance
DANCE 260: Introduction to Dance
DANCE 244R: Studio Workshop in Contemporary Modern Dance Improvisation and Choreography
DANCE 243R: Studio Workshop in Contemporary Dance and Modern Theory
DANCE 241R: Contemporary Modern Dance, Technique and Theory 2
DANCE 240R: Contemporary Modern Dance, Technique and Theory 1
Adjunct Faculty, Snow College, 2018 – 2020.
DANC 2340: Choreography
DANC 2200: Modern Dance III
DANC 1230: Modern Dance II
DANC 1100: Ballet I
The Dance Box, Holladay, Utah, 2020 - present.
Ballet, improvisation, contemporary dance for children, ages 5-12.
Graduate Instructor, University of Utah, 2016 – 2018.
BALLE 2390: Beginning/Intermediate Jazz II
DANC 1200: Non Majors Beginning Modern Dance Technique
DANC 1023: Dance Composition for Non Majors
DANC 1020: Non Majors Intermediate Modern Dance Technique
DANC 1015: Dance Appreciation – Demystifying Dance
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Utah, 2016 – 2017.
BALLE 4412: Dance History II, assisted Melonie Buchanan Murray
DANC 6810: Research Design, assisted Eric Handman
DANC 1023: Dance Composition for Non Majors, assisted Nichele Van Portfleet
DANC 1015: Dance Appreciation – Demystifying Dance, assisted Jasmine Stack
Direction and Choreography
Director/Producer/Choreographer for Emergence, Provo City Library Ballroom, Utah, 2020
Guest choreographers: Dmitri Peskov, Roxanne Gray, James Adamson, and Pamela Mecham
Emergence.
Behind Me.
Miscommunication.
To Know? Jargon.
Car Noises.
On Your Side.
Performed at the BYU National Dancesport Championships
Rehearsal Director for Behind the Façade, Presented at the Center for Latter-Day Saints Arts Festival, Columbia University, New York, 2019.
Presentation entitled: “Engaging with Dance: To See, to Feel, to Know” led by Marin Roper, Kevin & Lita Giddins, and Pat & Kathie Debenham.
Co-choreographer for Fleeting: Senior Showcase and Faculty Works Concert, Brigham Young University, 2019.
Collaboration with Shannon Vance Mckechnie
Title: Two, Than Two More
Performed in the Dance Studio Theater
Choreographer for Fugue, University of Utah, 2017.
Title: Seven Parts. Music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, additional sound design and arrangement by Louisa Killian
Performed in the Hayes Christensen Theater
Planned publicity and marketing strategies, edited and composed program information, made final decisions regarding the show
Guest Choreographer for Student Collegiate Concert, A Show About a Show, Brigham Young University – Idaho, 2016.
Title: Edge
Performed in the Oscar A. Kirkham auditorium
Choreographer for Aspire Modern Dance Company, Rexburg, Idaho, 2012 – 2013.
Title: Not Afraid
Performed in the Sugar Salem High School Theater
Student Director and Choreographer for Modern Dance Ensemble, Extravadance, Brigham Young University – Idaho, 2012.
Co-directed a show of 42 dancers, scheduled rehearsals, oversaw show details including costumes and advertising, and made final decisions regarding the show
Performed in the Oscar A. Kirkham auditorium
Title: Body Parts. Choreographed in collaboration with dancers
Title: Scream
Title: Always With Me
Title: Containment
Co-choreographed final number entitled: On Top of the World