Upon graduation in 2000 with high honors from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in dance, Kim Johnson, a native Yooper, joined Danceworks Performance MKE and Danceworks Studio faculty. In addition to performing and teaching, she served as Associate Artistic Director from 2009-2012 before taking on the role of Director of Engagement at Danceworks until 2021. Kim retired from the company in 2020 and then served as Artistic Support. She has created works for Danceworks Performance Company as well as Milwaukee Ballet II. Kim has helped write curriculum for both Danceworks Studio and Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy where she served as faculty (2000-2010), Branch Manager (2003-2008), and Children’s Division Coordinator (2008-2010). She has thoroughly enjoyed growing Danceworks’ dance fitness and ballet technique program as well as many other facets, including DanceLAB by advocating for emerging and established performing artists in the community through performances, mentorship and space grants, along with studio rentals. Kim was a dance lecturer at UWM from 2006-2022, where she taught modern technique and Body Sense. Kim’s deep passion and curiosity in anatomy, kinesiology, and physiology led to her to continue her education at Blue Sky School of Professional Massage & Therapeutic Bodywork where she completed their 850-hour Medical Intensive Program. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist who specializes in relaxation and therapeutic massage. She is honored to be a part of a person’s movement and healing journey both in the studio and treatment room. After 27 years in Milwaukee, Kim moved back to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is honored to be teaching at the studio she trained at growing up, Northern Michigan Dance Academy, running her own massager therapy practice, Koivu Massage & Wellness, and still teaching virtual classes at Danceworks.
View Ms. Johnson-Rockafellow’s current teaching schedule here.
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