Cleo Carol Knopf -

MOVEMENT ARTIST

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Cleo Carol Knopf , Dance/Circus Artist. Director of Poemdance Co. & PoemSong
   Poemdancer@aol.com
REVIEWS:  "The night’s female solo performance swirls above the floor, with Cleo Carol Knopf of Poemdance Co. employing a suspended hoop for “Soul of the Arctic”. The immediate contrast of altitude impressed the audience, who gave the night’s only two unprompted applause bursts at the risky acrobatic feats executed by the ever-spinning Knopf – including an impressive chin hold to compliment upside down splits and twists. Yet, once in the sitting embrace of the rotating circle, she manages to affect relaxed dreamy recline, before shifting into her next disaster-flirting contortion Review by www.fitengine.com for March 25th, 2015, performance on my "Soul of the Arctic," at NYC10.


"Ms. Knopf, who choreographed and performed 'The Priestess,' turned out the most beguiling solo work. Although performing en pointe, Ms. Knopf succeeded in combining classical dance with Oriental overtones to achieve a piece reminiscent of East Indian dance. She didn't utilize the gesture language at all. Nevertheless, her arms flowed in mesmerizing patterns" Review by Jennie Schulman, Back Stage.
"Ms. Knopf's joy in performing was infectious" Review by Jennifer Dunning, N.Y. Times.
PERFORMER SKILLS: Aerialist: Lyra, Silk, Spanish Web, Hammock Dance: Ballet, Spanish Dance, Escuela Bolera, Jazz, Modern, Flamenco, Improvisation. I write and sing Folk Songs and accompany myself on Guitar. 
AERIAL PERFORMANCES:
SeaWorld Aerialist, San Francisco’s Pickle Circus, Saint John the Divine NYC, Festival D’Avignon France, Amor de Dios Spain. SpiderDance, Zipper Theater NYC, Green Space, New York Aerial Dance Festival, Bindlestiff Cabaret, Choreographer’s Canvas
My Dance Companies: North Star Ballet Alaska, New York Chamber Ballet, Caprichos Boleros, Alice Farley, Inner Landscapes Dance Theater, Red Bank Ballet, Flamenco Fuego, Flamenco Victorio, Peridance Co., Throne Dance Theater, Balinese-American Dance Theater, Battery Dance Co., BalletWorks
CHOREOGRAPHY: I create aerial and dance works as artistic director of Poemdance Co.

Recent solos presented by Poemdance Co. :  Dance solo: “WaterDances” at Brooklyn Music School, 2013.  
Dance Solo: "A Dusty Day,” at WestFest 2014. Dance duet: "Georgia's Hat" at Brooklyn Music School, 2014.

Aerial solo: "WaterSpirit" at NYC10 Dance Initiative, 2014, voted one of the best pieces and chosen for gala performance.

Aerial solo:  "Soul of the Arctic" 2015, NYC. Aerial solo: "Awakening Earth" 2015, NYC

Dance solo: "Spirit of the Lion" premiered at BAM, NYC, 2015.


Singing Performances:

I sing at Peoples Voice Cafe at Judson Memorial Church and Dixon Place with Bindlestiff as well as at parties, rallies and outdoors. 


DEGREES: BA, Valedictorian of Hunter College 2002. Summa Cum Laude.
Pilates Certifications in machines and mat, Kane School, now Kinectid, NYC 2005
Master of Fine Arts from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts 2007

TRAINING:
Ballet: Maya Plisetskaya, Melissa Hayden, American Ballet Theatre, Gelsey Kirkland, Maggie Black, Marjorie Mussman, Simon Dow
Flamenco: Victorio Korjhan, Amor de Dios, Spain.
Escuela Bolera: Jerane Michel. Modern: Erick Hawkins, Limon Technique. Voice: Hunter College and NYU. Aerial: NECCA, San Francisco Circus Center, Streb, Bobby Hedglin, Circus Warehouse, Circus Edge
OTHER SKILLS: I write topical folk songs and sing them at events. I write poems and stories. I am a member of the U.S. Chess Federation and play in tournaments. I create illustrated works of fiction and poetic imagery for The Brooklyn Art Library.
JOB CATEGORIES: Dancer, Singer, Aerialist, Choreographer, Teacher. Primary Citizenship: USA. Valid Passport: Yes
TEACHING:
I currently teach aerial dance in NYC.
I have taught Pilates at the Kane School and independently
I’ve taught Essay Writing at Hunter College
I coach dancers, and aerialists, privately and in groups