Kira Blazek Ziaii (dancer)

Kira Blazek Ziaii is a dancer, choreographer, and visual artist. Her classical training began at the Houston Ballet Academy, and later went on to receive a BFA in Modern Dance Performance from the University of Oklahoma. She then joined Hubbard Street 2 (Chicago, IL) and toured extensively in the U.S. and Germany, dancing works by Robert Battle, Christian Spuck, Edward Liang, Julian Barnett and Amy Raymond among others.  Blazek then relocated to New York and immediately began dancing for Douglas Dunn & Dancers, becoming both rehearsal director and assistant to Douglas.  While in New York, she also performed for Christopher Williams, Ryan McNamara, Sally Silvers, Pilobolus Creative Services, Nicole Wolcott, and Shen Wei Dance Arts.  In 2009, she was invited to dance in the US premier of SHOT, created by Anoukvandijkdc (Netherlands). She eventually became one of four Americans certified to teach Countertechnique, a contemporary dance technique developed by Anouk van Dijk.  Kira has since led classes at Dance New Amsterdam, Princeton University, San Jacinto College, Maine Island Dance Festival, Hope Stone Dance, and currently at the University of Oklahoma.  As a choreographer, Blazek has presented works at New York venues such as Galapagos Arts Space, Dixon Place, Elizabeth Dee Gallery, and Danspace St.Mark's Church.  She has also presented works regionally at the Robert Rauschenberg Residency in Captiva, FL and at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts in Oklahoma City.