As a young girl from the Bronx, Kristine Keppel was captivated by Jerome Robbins’ choreography from West Side Story, which led her to follow her dream to dance for life.

She is an accomplished choreographer, dance instructor, international jazz performer, director, and playwright who has been trained in the styles of José Limón, Lester Horton, Bill Evans, and even some Phil Black jazz technique. Her career has taken her all over the globe, including being a long-standing member of the legendary Les Folies Bergère and the famed Copa Girls.

Keppel studied at the University of Utah and is an Integrated Movement Analyst in Laban/Bartenieff, is a certified yoga instructor, and has completed numerous modern dance certifications in teacher-training workshops throughout her career. Her training has led her to have some Martha Graham influence.

In the spirit of balance and commitment to life-long learning, Keppel has completed graduate degrees in both dance and English literature. She has had a lasting influence and impact in the development and style of all of her dance students at an established performing arts school over the past two decades. Her education philosophy for the performing arts is best described as expressive explosive – creating strong dance performance environments whereby students learn the stylistic principles of modern, composition, and choreographic elements.

Keppel is delighted to be a part of the UNLV team as her next step after retiring from the prestigious Las Vegas Academy of the Arts as a full-time dance faculty member.