Lauren Kearns
Maude Sharpe Powell Professor and Professor of Dance
Department: Performing Arts
Email: lkearns@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5592
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
Lauren Kearns is a Maude Sharpe Powell Professor, Professor of Dance, Director of Dance Science, former Department Chairperson, and Founding Coordinator of the BFA Dance Program and the BS Dance Science Program at Elon University. She is a published scholar, a certified and registered yoga teacher at the E-RYT 500 level, a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, and is a Balanced Body Educator. Kearns has presented her creative and dance science research at national and international dance conferences since 2000 and taught at Dance Ireland in Dublin, Ireland, as part of their Healthier Dancer Days in 2018, 2020, and was thrilled to return in the fall of 2022. She is the author of Somatics in Action: A Mindful and Physical Conditioning Tool for Movers, published by Handspring Publishing and released in October of 2017. Kearns has received over fortytwo grants, fellowships, and awards to support her artistic and scholarly projects and is an international choreographer having composed over fifty professionally produced concert pieces. Her most recent creative project was a residency at Murate Arts District in Florence, Italy, resulting in a site-specific dance piece and dance film, in the summer of 2024.
Links
News & Notes
Education
M.F.A. in Choreography and Performance, UCLA
M.A. in Dance Education and Theory, UCLA
B.A. in Theatre Arts with a Dance Focus, Long Island University
National Certifications in Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Pilates
Comprehenive Balanced Body Pilates Training Certificate
Master Level Certification in Alignment Based Yoga
Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 hour level
Registered Somatic Dance Educator with ISMETA
Employment History
2022-Present Elon University, Elon NC
Tenured Professor of Dance and Director of Dance Science
2018-2022 Elon University, Elon NC
Tenured Professor of Dance and Chair of the Performing Arts Department
2016-2018 Elon University, Elon NC
Tenured Professor of Dance and Associate Chair of the Performing Arts Department
2010-Present Elon University, Elon NC
Tenured Associate Professor of Dance and Head of Dance Program
2006-2010 Elon University, Elon NC
Courses Taught
Dancing with Florence
Pilates Equipment
Pilates Mat
Modern IV
Modern VI
Dance Ensemble
Somatic Theories I and II
Choreography I
Choreography II
Improvisation I
Senior Seminar
Advanced Yoga
Honors Course "Reincarnation of Yoga in America" (Team taught with Communications Professor Julie Lellis)
The Global Experience
Leadership Positions
Director of Dance Science, 2022-Present
Chair of the Performing Arts Department, 2018-2022
Member of the Strategic Planning Committee, 2018-2019
Associate Chair of the Performing Arts Department, 2016-2018
Founding Coordinator of the B.F.A and B.S. Dance Program, 2006-2017
Architect of the B.F.A. Dance Performance and Choreography Degree
Co-Architect of the B.S. Dance Science Degree (collaborated with Dr. Joyce Davis, former Chair of Exercise Science)
Regional Director for the American College Dance Festival Association 2011-2013
Board of Directors for the NC Dance Alliance 2008-2010
Board of Directors for the American College Dance Festival Association 2008-2011
Research
Professor Kearns dual research agenda is situated in the fields of dance science and contemporary dance. Her dance science research focus is on the application of somatic theories to dance training, performance, and injury prevention as well as the utilization of dance to promote health and wellness. Her contemporary dance research is centered on how site-specific dance making in global contexts can foster community engagement and understanding of disciplinary, geographical, and cultural contexts. Professor Kearns is a curriculum specialist in the areas of dance science, dance education, somatic training, and creative process. Visit The Kearns Dance Project YouTube channel to view samples of her choreographic work. To view her book, visit Handspring Publishing and to read a review of her book, please click here. Please click here to view Professor Kearns Google Scholar Profile.
Current Projects
2022-2023: Creative Projects
Catching Light
A twelve-minute site-specific twelve-member ensemble and dance film set to a sound compilation of Giovanni Venosta. Costume design by Lauren Kearns. Video direction, editing, and sound editing by Robert Kearns. Performed at the renowned Murata Arts District in Florence, Italy as part of a site-specific artistic residency. July 2022.This work will be re-staged as part of the annual Elon Spring Dance Concert in March, 2023.
Catching Light
A twelve-minute athletic and energetic twelve-member ensemble set to a sound compilation of Giovanni Venosta. Costume design by Lauren Kearns. Sound editing by Robert Kearns. Performed at the historic Basilica di Santa Maria Novella as part of the Florence Dance Center Concert Series. Florence, Italy. June, 2022.
Grants Awarded
Abbreviated list:
Elon University Center for Research on Global Engagement Grant, 2021-2022
Elon University Academic Technology Grant, 2021-2022
Elon University Fund for Excellence Grant, 2018-2020
Elon University Senior Faculty Research Fellow, 2017-2019
Elon University Faculty Research and Development Summer Fellowship 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
NC Arts Council, Alamance Arts, Grasroots Grant, 2012-2016
Elon University Sabbatical, 2014
Elon University Fund for Excellence Grant 2008 and 2010
Elon University Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Writing Residency
NC Dance Alliance Choreography Fellowship 2008
Elon Professional Development Grant 2008
Elon University Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Research Grant 2007
Elon Hultquist First Year Faculty Research Stipend 2006-2007
Rio Hondo College Professional Development Grant 2004-2005
Los Angeles County Arts Commission Creative Grant 2003-2005
Artist Completion Grant, Durfee Foundation Production Grant
Los Angeles County Arts Commission Administration Grant 2001-2003
California Humanities Mini - Grant 1999
Regional Arts Grant/L.A. Cultural Affairs Department Producing Grant 1999
Publications
Kearns, L (2017): Somatics in Action: A Mindful and Physical Conditioning Tool for Movers. Scottland. Handspring Publishing Limited.
Kearns, L (2016): Dance Critique as Signature Pedagogy. Arts and Humanities Journal in Higher Education: SAGE Journals. Invited by the editors to write the article for a special journal issue.
Kearns, L (2013): De-mystifying Creative Research. Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Mentoring 2:2, 1-3. https://blogs.elon.edu/purm
Kearns, L (2011): I Live Here: A Multimedia Performance and Educational Project. Journal of Dance Education 11:4, 149-151.
Kearns, L (2010): Somatics in Action: How “I Feel Three-Dimensional and Real” Improves Dance Training. Journal of Dance Education 10:2, 35-40.
Presentations
2022 Dance Residency at Dance Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
2022 International Association of Dance Medicine & Science, Limerick, Ireland
2022 The Forum on Education Abroad EMEA Conference, Milan, Italy
2022 Winston-Salem Dance Medicine Confererence, Winston-Salem, NC
2022 Dance Residency at Le Murata Arts Complex, Florence, Italy
2022 Choreographic Presentation, Florence Dance Festival, Florence, Italy
2022 Choreographic Presentation, Le Murata Arts Complex, Florence Italy
2021 International Association of Dance Medicine & Science, Denver, Colorado
2021 International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association, Online Platform
2020 Dance Residency at Dance Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, Online Platform
2018 International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Helsinki, Finland
2018 Dance Residency at Dance Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
2018 NC Dance Education Organization Conference, Charlotte, NC
2017 Interational Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Houston, TX
2017 Dance and New Media, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, NY, NY
2017 NC Dance Education Organization Conference, UNCG, Greensboro, NC
2015 International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, Pittsburgh, PA
2015 International Body-Mind Centering Conference, Ghent, Belgium
2014 Body-Mind Centering Conference, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
2014 National Dance Education Organization Conference, Miami, FL
2012 Dance 2050: The Future of Dance in Higher Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2012 American College Dance Festival Conference, James Madison U. Harrisonburg, VA
2011 The ART of Public Memory: an international, interdisciplinary conference, UNCG, Greensboro, NC
2010 American College Dance Fesitval Conference, Hollins U. Roanoke, VA
2009 National Dance Education Organization Conference, NY, NY
Professional Activities
International Association of Dance Medicine and Science
International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association
Service Activities
Amplyifying Black Voices Theatre Festival Committee. Invited to particate in a consortium of Greensboro area university performing arts department chairs. Assisted in the festival design, programming, selection of plays, and writing of a successful NEA Grant. 2020-2021.
Awards
2016 Elon University Senior Faculty Research Fellow
Guest Artist Award, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts High Point, NC 2013
La Manufacture Dance Residency Award Aurillac, France 2012
NC Dance Alliance Choreography Fellowship Raleigh, NC 2008
California Community College Dance Educator of the Year Award Sacramento, CA 2004