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Dance - Cynthia Kiehnau Bio
CYNTHIA KIEHNAU - BIO
Ms. Cynthia began dancing in San Francisco with the SF Conservatory of Dance. At 21 years old, I moved to NYC where I trained with some of the most well- known teachers: Marjorie Mussman (Joffrey Ballet), Benjamen Harkarvy (ballet master for Julliard), Egal Perry (director of Peridance NYC), Maggie Black (who coached Natalia Makarova). In NYC, I danced for 4 years with the Windemere Ballet Co both as corps and soloist, performing in ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and contemporary works, and with The Long Is Ballet Theatre in the corps. After moving to Va, Ms. Cynthia danced with the National Ballet of Md for 4 years as corps and soloist in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, The Nutcracker as well as contemporary ballets such as Hoe Down and Bartok choreographed by the director, Pamela Moore. She performed at the Kennedy Center as well as local touring performances with the Asaph Ensemble. At one point, she was performing with both National Ballet of Md and Asaph Ensemble. While Ms. Cynthia raised a family, she finished her Cecchetti Dance teacher certification to the advanced level. (The Cecchetti method, or the Italian method, is the oldest classical methodology of dance.)
Ms. Cynthia then formed Crossroads Dance Project (formerly Ballet East) to perform in schools for children. She toured with her troupe, under the management of Young Audiences, for ten years throughout the state of Va performing as many as 60 shows a year- one of the most sought after performing groups. (These productions were geared to bringing art and education to elementary children in all parts of the state.) CDP also performed modern works as a resident company of Arlington and was offered a grant for its innovative work. In addition, the company worked with the Daryl Green Foundation to offer underprivileged children an opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker. This Nutcracker was a twist on the original, set in the 1990's. The collaborative choreography and performance earned CDP "The Taste of the Town" from the Washington Post.
For professional reasons, Ms. Cynthia left Crossroads and formed Virginia Civic Ballet, a professional dance conservatory in Fauquier County. VCB was the only dance company and conservatory with professional dancers that produced full- length ballets in Warrenton such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Copelia, A Christmas Carol. In addition to the classical works, VCB presented modern works by local artists, and contemporary pieces such as "Feet Don't Fail Me Now", a spoof on Swan Lake, modern works by Sonia Cronmiller. The company toured to New York City to perform at Project Dance.
Ms. Cynthia turned over the reigns of VCB and assumed the role as dance coordinator for PWC Parks, Rec, & Tourism. A point of interest, Both of Ms. Cynthia's daughters dance. One directs a contemporary company in Chicago, the other daughter dances in her sister's company.
As dance coordinator of the PWC Parks & Rec, our goal is to create a dance program for the everybody to enjoy; where students can enjoy recreational dance with quality training and a professional atmosphere at an affordable price.