Business Details
31 Years
experience
Contemporary Dance Company in San Francisco
Founded in 1995, Robert Moses Kin is a contemporary dance company based in San Francisco, California. Our work explores the complexities of human nature through movement, using race, class, culture, and gender as mediums to express the unfulfilled potential within individuals and communities. Over three decades, we have created over 100 works ranging from neoclassical ballet to postmodern movement theatre, earning seven Isadora Duncan Awards and national recognition. Our artistic director, Robert Moses, draws from his African American heritage to craft provocative choreography that has been showcased globally at venues like Jacob's Pillow and the Serendipity Arts Festival in India. We collaborate with musicians, poets, and visual artists to create multidisciplinary performances that challenge conventions and foster dialogue.Our educational outreach programs, including Bootstraps: Lyric Legacies, extend our mission of artistic and intellectual growth to underserved communities. With a repertory that balances technical rigor and emotional depth, we strive to make dance a unifying art form that reflects societal truths. Our company has toured extensively to universities, festivals, and cultural institutions, cementing our reputation as innovators in contemporary dance. Supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the James Irvine Foundation, we remain committed to producing world-class art rooted in humanity. Through performances, workshops, and community engagement, Robert Moses Kin continues to push boundaries while maintaining its core belief in dance as a vehicle for social and personal transformation.
Services
Contemporary dance performances
Educational outreach programs
Choreography workshops
Community engagement initiatives
Dance film productions
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We offer 30 years of experience creating award-winning contemporary dance works
- Our choreography combines technical mastery with socially relevant storytelling
- We maintain partnerships with international dance festivals and cultural institutions
- Our educational outreach programs serve Bay Area schools and communities
- We've earned seven Isadora Duncan Awards for choreographic excellence
What people say
Provocative storytelling
Technical mastery
Socially conscious themes
Award-winning choreography
Community impact
Services
Contemporary dance performances
Our contemporary dance performances feature original choreography that explores complex social themes through movement. Each production combines technical precision with emotional depth, using race, class, and cultural identity as creative mediums. Audiences experience thought-provoking narratives that challenge perceptions and spark dialogue.
Educational outreach programs
We deliver dance education through community programs like Bootstraps: Lyric Legacies, connecting artistic expression with youth development. Our workshops combine technical training with personal storytelling, empowering participants to explore identity through movement while building performance skills in diverse communities.
Choreography workshops
Led by Robert Moses, our choreography workshops guide dancers through the creative process from concept to performance. Participants develop original works using our signature methodology that emphasizes narrative coherence, technical execution, and contextual meaning in contemporary dance composition.
Community engagement initiatives
Our community initiatives use dance as a platform for social connection and cultural exchange. Through partnerships with local organizations, we create inclusive spaces for artistic participation that reflect community identities while fostering cross-cultural understanding through movement-based storytelling.
Dance film productions
We produce dance films that translate stage choreography to cinematic formats, creating works like 'A Few Words on Financial Literacy' and 'For Our Students, For Our Schools'. These productions combine movement with visual storytelling, expanding dance accessibility through digital media platforms.
People
Robert Moses
Artistic Director
Choreographer and founder Robert Moses has created over 100 works for his internationally celebrated company. A Stanford University Choreographer-in-Residence and University of San Francisco faculty member, he explores African American cultural traditions through movement, earning seven Isadora Duncan Awards for his innovative choreography.
Jordan Wanderer
Managing Director
Managing Director Jordan Wanderer oversees organizational operations and strategic development for the 30-year-old dance company. With extensive experience in arts administration, they ensure the organization's sustainability while supporting its artistic mission and community engagement initiatives.
Mary Carbonara
Programs & Communications Director
Mary Carbonara directs programming and communications efforts, connecting the company with audiences through performances, media outreach, and community partnerships. She manages press relations and coordinates the organization's digital presence to expand its artistic impact.
Jenelle Gaerlan
Dancer
Dancer Jenelle Gaerlan performs with Robert Moses Kin while co-directing ODC Seeds Youth Company. A graduate of Jacob's Pillow Choreography Fellowship program, they bring expertise in contemporary dance and hip-hop, teaching at institutions like Stanford University and Alonzo King LINES Dance Center.
Kai Hannigan
Dancer
Dancer Kai Hannigan contributes contemporary choreography to the company's repertoire while studying at Alonzo King LINES Training Program. Their work explores themes of nostalgia and cultural identity, creating original pieces that reflect personal and collective experiences through movement.
Questions
What type of dance does Robert Moses' KIN perform?
We specialize in contemporary dance that explores social themes through movement, blending technical precision with storytelling that addresses race, culture, and human identity.
How can I attend a performance?
Check our website for upcoming shows at venues like ODC Dance Commons and touring locations. Tickets for our 30th anniversary season are available online through our booking platform.
Do you offer dance classes for the public?
Yes, we provide open technique classes and workshops led by Robert Moses, including our annual three-part intensive series focusing on choreographic development for professional dancers.
How does the company engage with the community?
Through educational outreach programs like Bootstraps: Lyric Legacies and partnerships with schools, we use dance to foster artistic growth and social connection in diverse communities.
Can I support Robert Moses' KIN financially?
Yes, we accept donations through our website to support artists and programming. Major funders include the National Endowment for the Arts and the James Irvine Foundation.
What recognition has the company received?
We've earned seven Isadora Duncan Awards for choreography and performance, plus honors from the Bay Guardian and San Francisco Weekly for artistic excellence.
