AMELIA RUDOLPH - FOUNDER / DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS

A dancer-athlete, choreographer, filmmaker, and public speaker, Amelia Rudolph (she/her) focuses on the transformational and restorative nature of art to initiate a shift of perspective and ignite a sense of possibility.  She is best known as the founder of the dance company BANDALOOP that, since 1991 has been on the vanguard of innovation in dance, fusing post-modern movement, rock climbing technology and a spirit of adventure. Her award winning work has been seen by thousands in live performance and by millions through various media formats as well as through workshops,  community engagements and public speaking. Particular to her career are the dances she has directed  in technical mountain environments from an 18 day traverse of the Sierra mountains to a six day climb of the 3,000’ cliff El Capitan, in Yosemite, CA. Her collaborative process involves site-responsive practices and community engagement that often includes a focus on social justice and environmental stewardship. Amelia holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in comparative religion from Swarthmore College and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley and in 2021 was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Institute of Critical Studies in Mexico City. She has received over forty grants, fellowships and commissions, is a recent CORO fellow and has served on several boards in the field of the performing arts.