Danielle Kinne ’16 MFA

“In honor of Kristina, please care for your family and your friends, speak to the stranger on the street, hold tight to your ideals,
and on every opportunity—DANCE.”

–Carolyne and Danny Larson

Kristina Larson was a teaching assistant in the UNCG School of Dance, celebrated for her love of dance, creativity, and compassion for others. Her parents’ healing answer to the tragedy of her early death was to support UNCG graduate students who pursue the art that gave Kristina joy. In 2006, Carolyne and Danny Larson established the Kristina Larson Dance Fund and the Kristina Larson Excellence in Choreography Award, in loving memory of their favorite dancer.

The Kristina Larson Excellence in Choreography Award recognizes superior choreographic artistry and provides resources to enhance the work of its recipients. The Kristina Larson Graduate Dance Fund supports second or third year choreography students in their artistic endeavors, such as conference travel, research, or production expenses. Danielle Kinne ’16 MFA, a beneficiary of the Kristina Larson Dance Fund, is a dynamic representative of the power of dreams developed and supported by a nurturing university community.

The Larson Dance Fund provided costumes, props, and set pieces for Kinne’s culminating thesis project.

Kinne was among the choreographers in the 2016 North Carolina Dance Festival. She debuted her “Greensboro Moves” piece, inspired by local interviews and observations. Kinne designed movement that portrays Greensboro as a place where paths cross—where people are on the move. Music by local composer Nicholas Rich conveyed the energized spirit of a unique community supporting the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.

In the last two years, Kinne’s community contributions include teaching dance at middle and high schools in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public School System. She fundraises to bring guest teachers to her students, including a west African dance instructor with live musicians.

“The students performed the dances they learned with live drummers as part of our multicultural fair,” Kinne relates. “I am hoping to partner with them again to create a yearly residency program.”

Kinne’s summer job is at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, teaching modern dance technique, composition, and a repertory class to middle and high school students. At this internationally renowned venue, Kinne also choreographs and performs in a faculty performance with other teaching artists.

At UNCG Kinne’s contributions include teaching contact improvisation. Through dance she gives back to the Triad community in which the Kristina Larson Dance Fund plays an important part. Although Kristina did not have the opportunity to complete her artistic journey, her program fund supports choreographers such as Kinne, who provide an active witness to the power of dance.

Story by Zoe Dillard, Donor Relations