Kara Brems
Assistant Professor of Dance Instruction
Kara Brems teaches Ballet, Modern, Composition, Introduction to Dance, Anatomical Kinesiology and Dance History courses at Hope College. She also presents choreography for annual faculty concerts and advises for the Student Dance Showcase concerts. Kara is the dance department鈥檚 culture and inclusion champion. Her current research focuses on building collaborative, interdisciplinary works that unite disparate populations and raise awareness of important cultural and social justice issues through the art of dance.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Kara has danced professionally with Verb Ballets Contemporary Dance Company in Cleveland, Ohio; SLATE Contemporary Dance Company in Shanghai, China; and Dance In The Annex in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Over the course of her career she has performed numerous original pieces and masterworks, including Martha Graham鈥檚 Appalachian Spring, Doris Humphrey鈥檚 The Shakers, Alwin Nikolais鈥檚 Noumenon Mobilus, Shapiro and Smith鈥檚 To Have and to Hold, Ian Horvath鈥檚 Laura鈥檚 Women, and the title role in Richard Dickinson鈥檚 Carmen, among many others.
Kara鈥檚 choreography has been professionally produced by Verb Ballets, commissioned by studios for national competitions and selected to be produced on stage at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre as part of the Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase. Kara has taught workshops and master classes in contemporary dance and ballet technique both nationally and internationally. Kara鈥檚 research on the effect of dance in popular culture on dance education was selected to be presented at the National Dance Education Organization鈥檚 2018 national conference.
Kara is also a certified Vinyasa Yoga instructor and Fletcher-style Pilates instructor. Kara is delighted to be teaching at Hope College as a new faculty member and is thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute her experience to the vibrant arts community in Holland and continue her efforts to unite people through the arts.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Ballet technique
- Modern dance technique
- Dance composition
- Dance history
- Anatomy and biomechanics
EDUCATION
- M.F.A., dance with a focus on performance and choreography, University of Arizona School of Dance, 2019
- B.S., English and biology with a minor in writing, Aquinas College, 2010
HONORS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS
- Grant-Seeking Mini-Grant, Hope College Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, 2021
- Graduate and Professional Student Council Research Grant, University of Arizona, 2019
- The Virginia Robinson Award 鈥� for dedication to dance and interest in another field
- Arizona Commission on the Arts Professional Development Grant, Tucson, AZ, 2018
- University of Arizona College of Fine Arts Small Grant, 2018
- University of Arizona School of Dance Gift, 2018
- Graduate and Professional Student Council Travel Grant
- Nominated for Dance Magazine鈥檚 鈥�25 to Watch,鈥� 2012
- Outstanding Senior in Biology, Aquinas College, 2010
- Outstanding Senior in English, Aquinas College, 2010
OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE
Kara loves to dabble in many other art forms and is a classically trained pianist, a crafter, knitter, amateur potter and a baker of sourdough bread. Kara loves hiking, camping and traveling to new parts of the world to explore different cultures and meet new people.