KYLA PISCOPINK is an artist with a great love of movement, self-expression, and art’s ability to heal. She began making dances at four years old and hasn’t stopped creating art since. Then, now, and all the years in between, she has always strived to make dance & art accessible, useful and fun. Originally from Cassadaga, NY, Kyla began her training at Collage Performing Arts Center. From there, she furthered her studies at SUNY Brockport, and graduated with a BA in Sociology from SUNY Fredonia. Upon graduating, she moved to NYC where she continued to dance, explore life and earn her Pilates mat certification. The ocean was calling and Kyla answered by heading to Key West, where she worked as an intervention coordinator (social worker) at the Care Center. In 2008, she founded Dance Key West, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that combines two of her loves: dance and social work.
DANCE, CHOREOGRAPHY & TEACHING
As the founder/artistic director of Dance Key West, Kyla has danced and presented work at Dixon Place, Lincoln Center, Triskelion Arts, The Duplex, during New York Fashion Week (StylePointe), and all over the stages and streets of Key West. With the support of Dance Key West, Kyla created and implemented multiple community outreach programs: The ReMARCable Dance Project (a free dance program for adults with developmental disabilities) and BVMP Dance + Technique (a free dance program for children enrolled with Bahama Village Music Program), Telling My Story, a program serving formerly and currently incarcerated women (in partnership with Dr. Susan Dewey, professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, and Julie Tennant-Caine, regional director of South Carolina DOC), and Dance America (in partnership with Grace Lutheran School). In addition to community outreach, Kyla & Dance Key West offer multiple community classes, including Autism Movement Therapy®. As a result of her work in developing community outreach and education programs, Kyla was invited to speak with The University of Wyoming's Women & Leadership class. Kyla has also had the privilege of teaching for Educational Performance Tours, Donna Roll's Young Artist Program/Operafest, and multiple studios in both NY and Florida.
A versatile and dedicated dancer, Kyla's credits range from classical ballet to cheerleading and everything in between - including Nutcracker Key West (choreographed by Louisville Ballet's Alun Jones), The Buffalo Jills NFL Cheerleaders, live art performances with Cuban artist Manuel Mendive, Chicago based Erin Rehberg, & NYC based Angela Harriell, as well as video projects with Daniel Gwirtzman of Gwirtzman Dance. Kyla is also a former studio artist at The Studios of Key West, and the recipient of an Anne McKee grant, including AMAF's prestigious Adeline Turner award for outstanding achievement in performance art, as well as several Florida Keys Council of the Arts' Special Projects & ArtReach grants.
Although working as a dancer is always thrilling, Kyla also enjoys the role of choreographer. As a choreographer, she has produced her own work with Dance Key West, including eight evening length shows, multiple dance films, and countless projects. Some of her other favorite choreography credits include "OK Toilet Bowl" (part of a children’s music project, FOREVERYWHERE, by STEVENSTEVEN - Steve Burns of Blue’s Clues + Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips), and Five Course Love directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel at The Red Barn Theatre. Most recently, Kyla had the pleasure of choreographing and performing in Prime Time, a new musical by Blake Hunter (Who's The Boss?) and Charles Lindberg, directed by Murphy Davis, with music direction by Debra Barsha.
In Fall 2021, Kyla joined the teaching staff at Grace Lutheran School in Key West. She is thrilled to share her love of dance with the children of GLS.
THEATER
Some of Kyla's favorite theatrical roles include Elaine in The Graduate & Columbia in Rocky Horror (both directed by Rich Simone), Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone (directed by Danny Weathers), and Lois/Bianca in The Key West Pops' concert version of Kiss Me, Kate (directed by Lee Roy Reams).
COLLABORATION & MUSIC
Kyla has a deep love of music that motivates her creative process and has resulted in song & dance collaborations with several talented musicians, including her True-ets with Keith Burnstein, video projects with Tony Roberts, and multidisciplinary performances with Ben Pegg & The Love Maximum. It was through these collaborations that Kyla began to realize she wanted to make her own music as well, and she is in the process of creating her first pieces of music now.
UNDERWATER
In April 2021, Kyla was honored to have her first visual art show, Pisces, at The Studios of Key West.
ORGANIZATIONS
HOME
Kyla lives in Key West with her husband, Dennis, and their two little ones, Hendrix & Polly. Although Key West is home, Kyla is always up for an adventure and ready to travel for work. For inquiries, please click here.