Kyle Ayers

WORK HISTORY

  • 2023-Present   Instructional Assistant Professor of Dance - Illinois State University
  • 2020-2023       Graduate Instructor - Department of Dance, University of Iowa
  • 2018-2020       Dance Arts Director, Champaign Park District, Champaign, IL

  • EDUCATION

    • 2023                 M.F.A. in Dance, Choreography - Department of Dance, University of Iowa
    • 2016                 B.A. in Theatre, Acting - School of Theatre & Dance, Illinois State University

    • RESEARCH

      Publications

      • 2023                 “Eyes on the Prize” – MFA Thesis, Department of Dance, University of Iowa - ProQuest

      Selected Choreography

      • 2023                 “Into the Ring” – School of Theatre and Dance, Illinois State University
      • 2023                 “Eyes on the Prize” – MFA Thesis, Department of Dance, University of Iowa
      • 2022                 “El Delivery” – Department of Dance, University of Iowa
      • 2021                 “Playing the System” – Department of Dance, University of Iowa
      • 2020                 “A Little Bit Cornered” – Department of Dance, University of Iowa
      • 2019                 “Half-Caff.” – Dance Arts Conservatory, Champaign Park District
      • 2019                 “Things They Didn’t Tell Me...” – Dance Arts Conservatory, Champaign Park District
      • 2018                 “Murmuration” – Dance Arts Conservatory, Champaign Park District
      • 2017                 “The Rod” – Dance Arts Conservatory, Champaign Park District


      GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS

      • 2023                 Deans NTT Professional Development & Travel Award Program, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University ($400)
      • 2023                 Student Impact Grant - Center for Advancement/Student Advancement Network/Office of the President, University of Iowa ($700)
      • 2022                 Travel Grant - Graduate & Professional Student Government, University of Iowa ($250)
      • 2022                 Summer Research Support Award – Division of Performing Arts, University of Iowa ($2,500)
      • 2020-2021       Iowa Arts Fellowship – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa ($10,000)


      CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

      Presented

      • 2024                 Dancing from Within: An Introduction to Limón Technique – American College Dance Association, East-Central Region Conference, University of Michigan, February 28-March 1
      • 2023                 Things I Wish I Knew – A solo performance at Champaign-Urbana Dance Festival, October 28
      • 2023                 Framing Form: The Craft of Curricular Composition – 9th Annual Somatic Dance Conference and Performance Festival, July 20-23
      • 2022                 Feedback as a Tool for Empowerment and Motivation – WGIcon, September 10-11
      • 2022                 Parts in Motion: Embodying Your Personality Network – 8th Annual Bill Evans & Cynthia Williams Somatic Dance Conference and Performance Festival, July 6-9


      Attended

      • 2022                 Limón Teachers Workshop, July 11-15


      CERTIFICATIONS

      • 2023                 Giordano Jazz Dance Technique, Nan Giordano Certification Program (Basic, Beginning, and Intermediate Levels), November 1-3


      TEACHING EXPERIENCE


      Illinois State University:

      • Modern II (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
      • Modern III (Fall 2023)
      • Jazz II (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
      • Jazz III (Spring 2024)
      • Dance Improvisation (Fall 2023)
      • Dance Composition I (Spring 2024)
      • Experiencing Dance (Fall 2023)
      • Senior Seminar in Dance (Spring 2024)


      University of Iowa:

      • Beginning Modern (Instructor of Record) (Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall, 2021)
      • Beginning Jazz (Instructor of Record) (Spring 2022, Spring 2023)
      • Continuing Jazz (Instructor of Record) (Fall 2022)
      • Dance Kinesiology (Teaching Assistant) (Spring 2022, Spring 2023)
      • Brazilian Culture and Carnival (Teaching Assistant) (Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Fall 2022)


      DEPARTMENTAL & UNIVERSITY SERVICE

      • 2022-2023       Co-Chair, Presidential Charter Committee for Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa
      • 2022-2023       Graduate Representative, Department of Dance, University of Iowa
      • 2022                 Ad Hoc Committee for MFA Handbook, Department of Dance, University of Iowa
      • 2020-2023       Grant Reviewer, Graduate and Professional Student Government, University of Iowa


      RELATED PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

      • Public Arts Administration
      • Business Administration/Management
      • Artistic Direction/Dance Production


      COURSES PREPARED TO TEACH

      • Modern (All Levels)
      • Jazz (All Levels)
      • Ballet (Beginning Level)
      • Dance Improvisation
      • Dance Composition
      • Dance Pedagogy
      • Dance Kinesiology
      • Dance Studies
      • Research & Writing Methods Seminar
      • Senior Seminar & Career Preparation


      LANGUAGES

      • Spanish (Conversational)


      References Available Upon Request