Kenneth Walker

Kenneth Walker

Kenneth Walker was raised in Torrance, California where he recieved his early training with Diane Lauridsen of South Bay Ballet. Mr. Walker has been fortunate to study in intensive workshops with William Forsythe, director of The Forsythe Company, Alonzo King, director of Lines Contemporary Ballet as well as Donald Byrd and Bella Lewitzky. Kenneth has also studied at Pasadena Dance Theater and worked with Los Angeles choreographers Francisco Martinez, Patrick Franz and Laurence Blake.

He has danced professionally with Sacramento Ballet, Ballet Pacifica, Oakland Ballet, and Minnesota Ballet. During his career Kenneth performed in works by Molly Lynch, Jacques Heim, Michel Fokine, George Balanchine, Lew Christensen, Willam Christensen, Bill Evans, Choo-San Goh, Ronn Guidi, Lisa de Ribere, Ron Cunningham, and Susan Hadley. Kenneth has also been a guest artist for Riverside Ballet, Redlands Festival Ballet, Westside Ballet, West Coast Opera Theatre, and many others.

As a choreographer, Kenneth has created dances for the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Sacramento Ballet, Chico Community Ballet, Southern California Dance Theatre, San Pedro City Ballet, South Bay Ballet, Petaluma City Ballet, Dance Peninsula, DanceCorps, Peninsula Dance Theatre, and Pasadena Dance Theater. He is the Artistic Director of Kenneth Walker Dance Project (KWDP), a contemporary ballet company based in Southern California and a 2007 Lester Horton Dance Awards Nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Company for its program, Sheer Force of Will . His work has also been performed at festivals throughout the United States. Kenneth is the recipient of the young choreographer's award from the Southern CA Dance Theatre, and is the youngest finalist ever to compete in the Sarasota Ballet of Florida International Choreography Competition. He has collaborated with musicians Michael Roberts, Mario Salvucci, DJ Just Honey, and Wes Hambright on new works.

A natural teacher, Mr. Walker has taught and coached everyone from professional ballet dancers to young students and even Latin Ballroom dancers and holds a B.A. from UCLA in World Arts and Cultures. He has been a guest teacher for Oakland Ballet, Ballet Pacifica academy, L.A. Ballet Academy, Los Angeles and Orange County High Schools for the arts, and Ballet Nouveau Colorado.

Currently, Mr. Walker enjoys the students at California DanceArts where he uses his knowledge and experience to prepare and assist advanced students.