Kara Wilkes
Kara Wilkes (Durham, North Carolina) is a freelance choreographer, educator, visual artist and filmmaker. Her expertise in classical and contemporary ballet is supported by her twenty-year career performing with Milwaukee Ballet Company, Ballet Victor Ullate, Charlotte Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Kara has danced leading roles in works by Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, Alonzo King, Nacho Duato, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Dwight Rhoden, George Balanchine, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Nicolo Fonte and others. She has been named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine and one of “12 Standout Performances of 2015” by Pointe magazine; in 2016, she performed in the TEDWomen Conference in San Francisco. Kara has been the rehearsal director for LINES and continues to teach classes and répertoire for the organization.
A highly experienced educator, Kara dedicates herself to empowering dancers through enthusiasm, kindness, and creative exploration. Her classes are uplifting experiences where innovation and inclusion are openly celebrated. Kara invites dancers to instill unique perspectives into their practices to elevate and transform their technique, communities, and the artform. Since 2004, Kara has taught students of all ages and levels. She holds an MFA in Dance from Hollins University (2019) and has taught courses in Classical Ballet, Dance Composition, Modern Dance, Pointe, Contemporary Ballet, Dance History, and Dance on Film. She has led numerous workshops, coached professionals, and been on dance faculties at Florida State University, Wake Forest University, Mills College, and Santa Clara University.
Kara was a 2026 Artist-in-Residence at Surel’s Place (Boise, ID) and has been a Toulmin Choreography Fellow through NYU’s Center for Ballet and the Arts and National Sawdust (2022-23). Her choreographic research is rooted in contemporary ballet movement and engages theatrical elements and storytelling; her works reflect relevant topics (e.g.: Climate Change, The Intelligence Age, Generational Trauma) that look to inspire curiosity and discussion amongst viewers of all ages. She has been the resident choreographer for Chautauqua Dance since 2023 and recently created works for Chattanooga Ballet, Ballet Idaho Training Program, The Tallahassee Ballet, University of Oklahoma, Traverse City Dance Project, SUNY Purchase, Texas Christian University, the USC Kaufman School of Dance, and COCA (Center of Creative Arts) in St. Louis.