Dance Faculty

Debra Knapp

deknapp@nmsu.edu
Vita
Dr. Knapp came to New Mexico State University in the fall of 2001. Debra is an Associate Professor and the Director of Dance. She has been on the dance faculties of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Palucca School Academy of Performing Arts in Dresden Germany.

She has danced professionally with the Bill Evans Dance Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Semperoper Ballet Company in Dresden Germany, the Nora Reynolds Dance Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Danzantes Dance Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, InMotion Dance Company in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Windfall Dancers in Bloomington, Indiana.

During her career she has had the opportunities to be the Artistic Director for the Windfall Dancers and Windfall Movement Center, the rehearsal director and modern dance trainer for the Semperoper Ballet, the Artistic Coordinator of Celebrate Youth Summer Dance and the Bill Evans Summer Dance Institute, and guest choreographer and instructor for universities and colleges throughout the United States.

Debra has been an Artist-in-Education since 1977 as a dance/movement specialist. Her creative endeavors in education has included researching and implementing movement programs that enhance the curriculum for the kinesthetic learner for grades pre-school, elementary and middle school students. She is a dance/movement specialist for Young Audiences of Indiana and Arkansas Arts-in-Education program. She served as dance chairperson for the development of dance proficiency for the Indiana Department of Education.

Debra continues to freelance as a choreographer, performer, and dance instructor.