About Leighann

Leighann Kowalsky is a multi-disciplinary artist, producer and educator primarily working in dance, film and circus. Kowalsky makes movement-based films, choreographs and performs with a number of companies and projects, produces live and live-streamed events, teaches locally and internationally, and consults on media, curriculum, research & communication.

Kowalsky holds a BA in Communications & Psychology and an MFA in Choreography. She has co-founded arts organizations such as the d’amby project and Dutchess School of Performing Arts (where she is co-artistic director), was the Director of Dance & Circus at Millbrook School from 2013-2021 and was a Large-Scale Live Event Coordinator with Firehouse Productions for close to a decade. Kowalsky has been the Director of Dance & Film at Festival Theater Hudson, and has consulted for or managed media for over 15 artists or organizations. Kowalsky was the Director of Operations for the Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center in 2022 and 2023, gaining notoriety as the second most funded Circus organization in New York.

Currently, Kowalsky is a Dance Instructor at The Harvey School in Katonah, NY, and is the Global Coordinator at the Institute for the Study of Somatic Communication. She continues to perform and travel as a guest educator and choreographer.


Recent Projects

 

“After dancing professionally for years, I found myself in Leighann's process. She is one of the few to fully practice what she preaches - creative a safe, accessible space day-in and day-out, while never compromising on her art. She puts trust in her dancers and joy in the space. I am grateful to have crossed paths with her.” C.M.

 

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