KARLA
PARBON
HELLO I'M KARLA
DANCER | CHOREOGRAPHER | EDUCATOR | CREATOR
ABOUT
SAMPLE CHOREOGRAPHY
"Pedal The Burden Light"
Performed at ACDA 2017
Choreographed by: Karla Parbon
Performers: Whitworth University Dancers Emily Carney, Heather Portue, Bailey Vallee
ABOUT ME
As a dancer, educator, and choreographer, I have dedicated my life and profession to the art of dance. With a B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Theology with an emphasis in Dance, my specialty is in connecting art, spirituality and the human experience. Currently, I serve as the Dance Program Director at Whitworth University and dance faculty at Gonzaga University. Whether it’s inspiring young artists, victims of social injustice, or integrating the arts into education, I am consistently discovering innovative avenues to help and inspire others to find hope and a voice through artistic expression.
American Dance Association Adjudicated Works:
It's All I Know, 2011
Matres Magnorum, 2012
Dwelling Place, 2013
Salt and Light, 2014
Broken Footprints, 2015
Underneath The Shadows Of the Ordinary, 2016
Pedal The Burden Light, 2017
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Musical Theatre Choreography:
Cabaret, 2001
Robin Hood, 2001
Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, 2002
Aladdin, 2002
Music Man, 2003
The Boyfriend, 2005
Working, 2007
Once Upon A Mattress, 2011
Wakefield Mysteries, 2013
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Professional Collaboration:
Teresian Conference/Gonzaga University, 2015
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Membra Nostri Buxtehude/St. John's Chamber Choir, Spokane Symphony Musicians, and Adaptations Dance Company, 2017
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Human Trafficking Candle Light Vigil, 2013 - present
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WHAT I'VE DONE
Director of Dance at Whitworth University, 2008 - present
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Dance Faculty at Gonzaga University, 2008 - present
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Founder and Executive Director of the Non-profit Organization, Partners Through Art, 2014 - present
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Artistic Director of, Adaptations Dance Company, 2017
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Etsy Store Manager of Body and Soles: Socks for Dancers, 2017
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Arts Impact Artist Mentor with Partners Through Art, 2012 - present
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WHAT I DO
"Underneath The Shadows Of The Ordinary"
Performed at ACDA 2016
Choreographed by: Karla Parbon
Performers: Whitworth University Dancers
"I Cry For All That Is Beautiful"
Human Trafficking Awareness Performance @ River Park Square
Choreographed by: Karla Parbon
Performers: Sarah Bruns, Brooke Grissom, Melanie Williams
GALLERY
NON-PROFIT WORK
CREATION
Partners Through Art is a non-profit organization that leverages the power of art with other non-profits to expand their individual success and advance the collective goal of positive social change through arts education, service-oriented performance, and creative instruction.
Adaptations Dance Academy and Company educates and inspires the dance artist through studio work, service-learning projects, and performance that connect dance to social justice issues. We care as much about the creative process as the performance. The content of the choreography, the themes in our studio sessions, the ways we collaborate with community members - encourages the dance artist to use their talent to create a more compassionate and just world. Our unique learning environment challenges the dance artist to explore diverse styles and approaches and offer different modes of engagement to cultivate their own personal artistic voice. Adaptations Dance Academy and Company is founded on the belief that dance is an integral part of social change by dancing for something bigger than yourself.
"Broken Footprints"
ACDA 2015 Rehearsale
Choreographed by: Karla Parbon
Performers: Whitworth Unversity Dancers
