Business Details
31 Years
experience
Contemporary Dance Excellence Since 1995
Founded in 1995, Robert Moses Kin is a San Francisco-based contemporary dance company dedicated to exploring the complexities of human nature through movement. Our work interrogates themes of race, class, culture, and gender, using choreography as a medium to articulate the unfulfilled potential within communities. With over 100 original works, we have earned seven Isadora Duncan Awards and collaborated with internationally recognized artists across disciplines. Our repertoire spans neoclassical ballet to postmodern theater, presented annually in San Francisco and through global tours to festivals and institutions. We prioritize community engagement through educational outreach programs like Bootstraps: Lyric Legacies and partnerships that advance artistic and intellectual growth.Our artistic director, Robert Moses, brings decades of experience as a choreographer, composer, and educator, having worked with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Stanford University. We maintain a commitment to accessibility, offering workshops and classes that foster technical and creative development for dancers at all levels. Our media presence in publications like The New York Times and Los Angeles Times underscores our reputation as a leader in contemporary dance. Supported by major foundations including the National Endowment for the Arts and the James Irvine Foundation, we continue to push boundaries in dance as a unifying art form.
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Choreography Workshops
Community Outreach Programs
Educational Dance Classes
University Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- 30 years of innovative contemporary dance production
- Recipient of seven Isadora Duncan Awards for artistic excellence
- Collaborations with major institutions like Jacob's Pillow and SF Opera
- Community-focused programming serving the Bay Area since 1995
- Educational outreach reaching thousands of local students annually
What people say
Powerful storytelling
Emotionally resonant
Technical excellence
Community-focused
Innovative choreography
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Our company presents original contemporary dance works addressing social themes through movement. Each season features world premieres and repertory pieces that challenge audiences and dancers alike. With over 100 works created since 1995, our performances combine technical precision with emotional storytelling to explore human identity and societal issues.
Choreography Workshops
We offer technique classes and workshops for professional and aspiring dancers. Led by Artistic Director Robert Moses, these sessions develop technical skill and creative expression through our unique movement vocabulary. Participants gain insight into our choreographic process and expand their artistic capabilities in an inclusive environment.
Community Outreach Programs
Our outreach initiatives use dance as a tool for social connection and education. Programs like Bootstraps: Lyric Legacies bring dance education to underserved communities while fostering cultural understanding. These initiatives reflect our commitment to making contemporary dance accessible to diverse audiences across the Bay Area.
Educational Partnerships
We collaborate with universities and colleges to provide masterclasses, residencies, and performance opportunities. These partnerships offer students direct access to professional choreographers and dancers while enriching academic dance programs with contemporary techniques and perspectives from our 30-year practice.
Film & Video Productions
Our catalog includes dance films with original sound scores that expand the reach of contemporary dance. Works like 'A Few Words on Financial Literacy' and 'For Our Students, For Our Schools' demonstrate our commitment to innovative storytelling through digital media while maintaining the emotional depth of live performance.
People
Robert Moses
Artistic Director
Founder and Artistic Director of RMK since 1995, Robert Moses is an award-winning choreographer with over 100 original works. He has taught at Stanford University and serves as Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco.
Jordan Wanderer
Managing Director
Managing Director Jordan Wanderer oversees administrative operations for RMK, bringing extensive experience in arts management and nonprofit leadership to support the company's artistic mission and community programs.
Mary Carbonara
Programs & Communications Director
As Programs & Communications Director, Mary Carbonara manages RMK's outreach initiatives and public relations, ensuring effective communication of the company's artistic vision and community impact to diverse audiences.
Jenelle Gaerlan
Dancer
Dancer Jenelle Gaerlan has performed with RMK since 2020, bringing expertise in contemporary and hip-hop dance. They also serve as Co-Artistic Director of ODC Seeds Youth Company and teach at Alonzo King LINES.
Kai Hannigan
Dancer
Dancer Kai Hannigan joined RMK after training at Alameda Ballet Academy and the Alonzo King LINES Training Program. His work explores themes of nostalgia and cultural identity through contemporary movement.
Questions
What type of dance does Robert Moses' KIN perform?
We specialize in contemporary dance that explores themes of race, culture, and human identity through innovative choreography blending technical precision with emotional storytelling.
How can I attend a performance?
Check our website for upcoming shows at venues like ODC Dance Commons. Tickets for our 30th anniversary season are available online through our official booking platform.
Do you offer dance classes for the public?
Yes! We provide open technique classes and workshops for intermediate to advanced dancers at ODC Dance Commons in San Francisco.
How does the company engage with the community?
Through educational outreach programs like Bootstraps: Lyric Legacies and partnerships that make contemporary dance accessible to diverse Bay Area communities.
Can universities partner with RMK?
We collaborate with universities for masterclasses, residencies, and performance opportunities. Contact our Programs Director to discuss partnership possibilities.
How is RMK funded?
We receive support from major foundations including the National Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, and private donors who share our vision for dance as a unifying art form.
Reviews (2)
Beverly L.
Feb 19, 2011
Report
I just watched cinderella principle followed by fable and faith. Both were not just visually beautiful, but used a variety of movement, music, props, dialogue, humor, and multimedia to compose thought provoking social commentary. It was engaging on so many levels that you just heard people gasping wow every time the curtains fell.
James M.
Feb 09, 2007
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I just watched "Woman Spelled This Way" being performed up at the Jewish Community Center, and it was incredible. It mixes older pieces along with a few world premieres, but it was all new to me.
Robert Moses' Kin exhibits Alvin Ailey/Judith Jamison ritual-like choreography, but uses a full repertoire of neoclassical and modern elements. More than other modern dance performances I've see, Kin can be ironic, use metaphor, or even be a little playful at any given time. The new piece, "slowly watching memory" was a delight, but the last piece "Speaking ill
Robert Moses' Kin exhibits Alvin Ailey/Judith Jamison ritual-like choreography, but uses a full repertoire of neoclassical and modern elements. More than other modern dance performances I've see, Kin can be ironic, use metaphor, or even be a little playful at any given time. The new piece, "slowly watching memory" was a delight, but the last piece "Speaking ill
