K.J. Holmes has been practicing Contact/Improvisation forms as process and performance since 1981.  These practices  have deeply informed her journey as a dance artist as well as an actor, vocalist, writer and teacher.  An avid improviser and creator of solo/duo and ensemble work, she has studied with the early pioneers of CI including Steve Paxton, Nancy Stark Smith and Daniel Lepkoff and has also been very influenced by the Tuning Score of Lisa Nelson, Body Mind Centering ® and the work of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Ideokinesis with Andre Bernard, Meisner acting work with Terry Knickerbocker, voice and singing with Richard Armstrong, Barbara Maier Gustern and Samita Singha, among others.  K.J. is a certified Yoga teacher through her studies with Sondra Loring, and a certified Ayurvedic Holistic Health Counselor through her studies with Dr. Naina Marballi.  She teaches at NYU/Experimental Theatre Wing and Movement Research in NYC, as well as traveling nationally and internationally teaching, performing and creating.  K.J. has performed most recently in the work of filmmaker/artist Matthew Barney, dancer/writer Karinne Keithley Seyers, music video of Mitski, as well as her own solo work 900 Bees are Humming. She is currently conducting  a new ensemble piece, Blu/print, begun Fall 2023 with the mentorship of composer/instrumentalist Henry Threadgill through a grant from the NY State Dance Force. K.J. has been honored to dance in many of Steve’s creations, as well as knowing him as a dear friend.
A woman with a green bandana on her head in front of a graph of
words smiles at the camera. Photo courtesy of the artist.
ID: A woman with a green bandana on her head in front of a graph of words smiles at the camera. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Past classes and workshops