Karen Peterson and Dancers

- 8700 SW 129th Terrace, Miami, FL 33176

Karen Peterson and Dancers (KPD) is a celebrated point of interest and a vital cultural institution within the Florida arts landscape. Based in Miami, this non-profit organization is renowned as Florida's leading and longest-running professional dance company dedicated to the development, education, and presentation of "physically integrated dance." This specialized art form unites dancers with and without disabilities, creating powerful, innovative, and deeply human choreographic works that redefine beauty and movement in contemporary dance. Founded in 1990 by Artistic Director Karen Peterson, the company has spent decades cultivating an inclusive environment that challenges societal paradigms and fosters a common understanding of humanity through the physical body's impulse to move.

More than just a performance troupe, KPD serves as a pivotal role model for both the dance and disability communities across Florida and beyond. Their work has been recognized nationally and internationally, earning accolades like "Miami's Best Dance Company" from the Miami New Times. The heart of the company’s mission is advocacy, education, and artistic excellence, demonstrating that dance is a shared human experience accessible to all, regardless of perceived or real barriers. This commitment to inclusivity is what resonates so profoundly with the Florida community, as evidenced by heartfelt testimonials from patrons who praise the team for wonderfully making a difference to all their "talented dancers." The company’s influence extends far beyond the stage, actively working within the Miami-Dade Public Schools system to provide specialized educational programming for thousands of teens with special needs since 2006.

Karen Peterson and Dancers maintains its headquarters and primary rehearsal space, known as Excello Dance Space, at 8700 SW 129th Terrace, Miami, FL 33176, USA. This location places the company in the Pinecrest area, easily accessible for residents across South Florida. While performances and workshops may take place at various venues across Miami-Dade County, the main address serves as the administrative and creative hub for the organization.

Reflecting their core mission of inclusion, accessibility is a paramount concern for KPD. The organization consistently ensures that their home base and all associated venues meet rigorous standards to welcome every audience member and participant. This dedication to barrier-free access is a key differentiator in the Florida arts community, ensuring that the transformative power of their work can be experienced by all.

Key Accessibility Features include:

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Ensuring smooth and easy access into the facility.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Dedicated parking spots to facilitate convenient entry and exit.
• Wheelchair Accessible Restroom: Providing essential amenities designed for all patrons.
• Wheelchair Accessible Seating: Guaranteeing comfortable and suitable viewing for audience members at performances.

Karen Peterson and Dancers offers a dynamic and unique set of services tailored to their specialization in physically integrated dance, encompassing performance, education, and community engagement.

Services Offered by KPD:

• Professional Performances and Annual Season: Presenting an annual season of new and repertory works, featuring mixed-ability ensembles performing contemporary choreography across multiple venues in South Florida.
• Educational Workshops and Residencies: Conducting specialized movement workshops, often offered free or at low cost, for individuals with and without disabilities who are interested in the physically integrated dance form.
• Public School Programming: Delivering ongoing educational and training workshops, including unique dance residency programs for students with special needs in Miami-Dade Public Schools.
• Choreographic Development: Commissioning and developing new works by Artistic Director Karen Peterson and other acclaimed choreographers, both local and national, pushing the boundaries of the art form.
• National and International Touring: Representing Florida’s innovative dance scene by performing and teaching across the U.S. and in multiple countries overseas, spreading the message of inclusive dance.
• Accessible Information: Providing assistance to audience members and participants by offering materials in accessible formats, sign language interpreters, and other disability accommodations upon request.
• Good for Kids: Hosting events and workshops that are appropriate and welcoming for younger audiences and children.

The organization’s highlights underscore its importance as a cultural trailblazer and a community champion in Florida.

Features and Highlights of KPD:

• Pioneering Physically Integrated Dance: Recognized as the only full-time dance organization south of Georgia with a committed history of featuring choreography performed by dancers with and without disabilities.
• The "Forward Motion" Dance Festival: Producer of this major annual international festival and conference, showcasing groundbreaking physically integrated dance companies and choreographers from around the world in Miami.
• Highly Decorated Leadership: Artistic Director Karen Peterson has received multiple honors, including state and local choreography fellowships, a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the New World School of the Arts, and a "Queen of the Arts" Award from the Miami Herald.
• Critical Acclaim: The company’s work is consistently praised by critics as "Innovative, Inspiring, Unconventional," and "one of Miami's cultural treasures."
• Extensive Outreach: Since 2006, KPD has directly impacted thousands of teens with special needs through its ongoing school residency programs, fostering creativity and movement research.
• Global Presence: The company has taken its inclusive message and high artistic level to nine international countries, positioning Miami and Florida at the forefront of this global dance movement.

To connect with Karen Peterson and Dancers for performance schedules, workshop details, or to learn more about their mission, please use the following contact information:
Address: 8700 SW 129th Terrace, Miami, FL 33176, USA
Phone: (305) 298-5879
Mobile Phone: +1 305-298-5879

What is worth choosing about Karen Peterson and Dancers is the transformative nature of their art and their profound dedication to inclusion within the Florida community. For patrons in Florida who seek cultural experiences that are not only high-quality artistically but also deeply meaningful and representative of a diverse human experience, KPD is an unparalleled choice. The company’s pioneering role in physically integrated dance challenges viewers and participants alike to rethink what is possible, serving as an incredible source of inspiration and a positive "can-do" role model. Furthermore, choosing to support KPD means investing in a Florida non-profit that has been internationally recognized, actively educates special needs youth, and consistently ensures that the arts remain accessible to absolutely everyone. Their legacy is one of artistic courage, resilience, and the belief that the impulse to move is a gift for all.

Karen Peterson and Dancers

8700 SW 129th Terrace, Miami, FL 33176, USA