Bridging the worlds of classical and contemporary dance in Portland, Oregon.
About skinner/kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE
skinner/kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE is a Portland-based dance company that has been guided since 1998 by the artistic vision of founders Eric Skinner and Daniel Kirk. For the Ensemble Skinner and Kirk develop original choreographic projects firmly rooted in the classical but informed by decades performing with modern and contemporary choreographers. skinner/kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE 's work serves to expand the range of aesthetic experiences for company dancers, collaborating artists, and audience members throughout the region.
Since its founding, s/kDE has self-produced six full evenings of original dance, collaborating with musicians, filmmakers, composers, fashion designers, sculptors and performance artists. The company has been presented multiple times in Portland by BodyVox, and appeared in White Bird's 2009 Uncaged Series where they premiered a new commissioned work. skinner/kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE has received support for the creation of new work from Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) in 2002, and the Bessie Schonberg Choreographic Mentorship Residency at The Yard in 2014. The company was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2013.
Eric Skinner
Co-Artistic Director of the Skinner/Kirk Dance Ensemble, is originally from Muncie, Indiana and has been been working nationally and internationally as a performer and choreographer for over twenty-five years. Eric originally trained as a gymnast before receiving his B.A. in Dance from Butler University's Jordan School of Fine Arts in Indianapolis. He has danced professionally with the Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Oregon, Pacific Ballet Theatre, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, and was a founding member of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Following his departure from OBT, he danced with contemporary choreographer Gregg Bielemeier and was a founder of aero/betty aerial dance theatre before joining artistic directors Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland in their innovative dance company, BodyVox, in which he performs and holds the position of Artistic Associate. Eric regularly teaches for Reed College, Center for Movement Arts and BodyVox Dance Center, and he has additionally served as a review panelist for both the Weiler Choreography Competition and the Regional Ars & Culture Council. In 1998 he cofounded the skinner/kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE with partner Daniel Kirk as a vehicle for their choreographic inventions. Catherine Thomas of The Oregonian said, “Skinner’s craftsmanship… is especially gratifying.” In addition to his work for Skinner/Kirk Dance Ensemble, he has choreographed for Inland Pacific Ballet, Portland Center Stage, BodyVox, BodyVox-2, Portland Opera and Polaris Dance Theater.
Daniel Kirk
Co-Artistic Director of the Skinner/Kirk Dance Ensemble, has extensive performance experience both nationally and internationally. His technique ranges from classical ballet to contemporary to innovative theatrical and aerial work. This eclectic style has enabled him to perform a wide variety of repertory that includes modern dance pieces by Paul Taylor, Jose Limon, Agnes deMille, Donald Byrd, Karole Armitage and Janet Eilber; contemporary ballets by Choo San Goh, Georges Balanchine, Gerald Arpino and Val Caniparoli; and classical ballets by Antony Tudor, Jean Coralli, Robert Joffrey and Petipa . After nine years performing many works by directors James Canfield and the late Dennis Spaight, Daniel left Oregon Ballet Theatre to dance with The Joffrey Ballet, The Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, and The Gregg Bielemeier Dance Project. He is a founding member of BodyVox, based in Portland where he serves in the position of Tour Manager and also continues to perform. Considered one of the finest dance partners, Lewis Segal of the L.A. Times has called him "a classically gifted artist as well as a paragon of dance." Daniel has choreographed and performed for BodyVox, the Oregon Symphony, and co-choreographed "The Little Mermaid" for Inland Pacific Ballet. In 1998 he cofounded the skinner/kirk DANCE ENSEMBLE with partner Eric Skinner as a vehicle for their choreographic inventions.