Today we’d like to introduce you to New Breed Dance Company.
Hello New Breed Dance Company, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
New Breed Dance Company is celebrating its 12th year creating dynamic, entertaining, and wildly popular extravaganzas in the Colorado art scene. Boulder natives and Artistic Directors, Linzee Klinkenberg and Kelsey Kempfer, and Co-Director Mimi Ferrie lead the exceptional talents of their professional company, as well as New Breed’s community-based companies.
The Funkettes, a female-identifying group of dancers of all abilities and ages, and Hard Times, “the working man’s burlesque.” The mission of New Breed is to bring the invaluable American art form of dance to audiences and students of all ages. Whether in the theatre, classroom, or on the street, New Breed’s diverse dancers and accessible choreography enrich the lives of its audience and community.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
New Breed strives to employ professional artists of the highest caliber of their craft. One of the greatest obstacles our company faces is accommodating the complex schedules and logistical challenges of coming together for training, rehearsals, and performances.
Our company is made up of dancers who also have rich personal and professional lives, including roles we hold such as educator, public speaker, social worker, director, non-profit leader, business owner, spouse, parent, caregiver, etc. We deeply value each artist’s sacrifices and effort to ensure New Breed takes the stage.
We wouldn’t want to, nor could we, make the depth of work we’re known for without moving mountains to collaborate with such loving, talented, intelligent, and versatile human beings.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
New Breed Dance Company is best known for producing innovative, hilarious, passionate, and provocative work.
Our performances are accessible and entertaining for those seeing live dance for the first time. We love teaching beginning to advanced-level classes in the community and take pride in our ability to make everyone feel welcome and celebrated.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
New Breed Dance Company has thrived because of the generosity and knowledge of the artists that have preceded us. We have been so lucky to build decades-long relationships with wise teachers, experienced leaders, and dance elders, and it is thanks to their support that we can explore our vision and push our boundaries.
Creating art is inherently vulnerable; we are so grateful for the encouragement of our mentors without whom we may not have believed in ourselves or taken what risks we have. That we can seek wisdom from artists who paved the way for us is an invaluable resource. It is a gift to be able to ask for help and receive guidance about the challenges and changes of the world of dance– from searching for funding to recovering from injury, maintaining inspiration, and navigating challenging seasons of life and work.
Partnering with our community allows us to work with a wide, diverse population of artists of all backgrounds and ages ranging from 25-80 years old. Though we are in a position of management and authority, we are also forever students– willing and wanting to learn from every member of our cast. The reciprocal and nurturing nature of our relationships fosters curiosity, bravery, and trust.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.newbreeddance.co
- Instagram: @newbreeddancecompany
- Youtube: @newbreeddancecompany
Image Credits
Medium Labs, Heather Gray Photography, Laura Rose Studios, and Grace Creative Studios
