Profile

Augusta, GA native, Karen (KB) Brown was appointed assistant professor of dance at the University of the Arts in 2007.  She began her dance education at age eight training at the Augusta Civic Ballet and the Joffrey School of Ballet.  Her professional career began in 1973 at the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) where she rose to become a Principal Ballerina during her 22-year tenure. Professor Brown danced leading roles in much of the company’s eclectic repertoire, including Glen Tetley’s Voluntaries and Dialogue, the classics Paquita, Swan Lake and Giselle; Balanchine’s Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Agon and The Four Temperaments; as well as story ballets such as Agnes DeMille’s Fall River Legend, John Butler’s Othello, Valerie Bettis’ Streetcar Named Desire, and Geoffrey Holder’s Banda, Bélé and Dougla.  Ms. Brown has worked with numerous distinguished choreographers and coaches, among them, Arthur Mitchell, Karel Shook, Frederic Franklin, Madame Danilova, Madame Darvash, Ruth Page, Suzanne Farrell, Bill Griffith, Allegra Kent, Merrill Ashley, Billy Wilson, Tally Beatty and Louis Johnson. She also has had original works created on her by David Gordon, Glen Tetley, Alonzo King, Robert Garland and Kate Weare among others. 
 
Ms. Brown’s immediate transition after actively performing with DTH came in 1995 as Director of Education for the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, the largest dance institution in the Southeast.  In 1997, she founded Karenina, an organization that provides consultation and mentorship through all stages of career development for emerging and established artists.  In 2006, she completed 6 years as the Artistic Director of Oakland Ballet, one of her proudest accomplishments.  Continually seeking opportunities to grow, to learn, and to develop new skills, in 2008 she became a dance artist with Paradigm, Dance Legends in Concert.  In 2010, as a member of that ensemble, she was awarded a “Bessie” for sustained achievement in dance.  Ms. Brown earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance at St. Mary’s College in Moraga.  She served as a trustee of the Dance USA Board for six years.  Professor Brown is tenacious and passionate as demonstrated in her life-long pursuit of artistic excellence. Known for exuding the physical strength of an Olympian in her dancing, she now shares with her students her wide range of knowledge, which includes business acumen, execution of technique and "how to thrive in the world of dance."