Basic Information

• About me

  As a dancer and choreographer, I am contiuously challenged to discover different ways to create movement and investigate deeply into the subject matters. My interests in music, theatre, performance and literature have influenced me to explore the intersections of dance and the other art forms. My overall objectives as an artist are to connect people through dance no matter the choice of artistic content; to use dance as a way to express my artistic ideas; and to strive to spark engagement in ways to create more questions than answers. My creation process is very physical from start to end, as I explore the content and knowledge present in the body. As a choreographer, I deconstruct and analyze the content of every movement and body on stage, making choices for a piece that are based on both aesthetic and technical factors. I believe dance is a tool for community building, healing, entertainment, and artistic expression.

• Resume

  A third generation native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Mrs. Meiki began her dance training in 1982. Her formal training began under the instruction of Marion Mills, former director of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, as well as various workshops, offered by world renowned masters such as Jilana, David Howard, and Ekatrina Maximova. Kendra has performed with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet since 1985 and was a principal dancer from 1994 until 2000. Kendra has danced principal roles in many classical ballets, such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Gaite Parisienne, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Copp?lia, Rodeo, Giselle, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides, Stars and Stripes, Graduation Ball, and Firebird. In 1999, Kendra focused her energies towards becoming a teacher and choreographer when she became owner/director of the Shreveport Dance Academy (home of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet), where she insists on quality dance instruction for all ages. Kendra served as Rehearsal Assistant for the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet from 1999-2001, and in 2001 she assumed the position of Artistic Director of the company. She is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance of London, one of only a handful within the state. She served as a faculty member (2003-2004) of the Kinesiology and Health Science Department at LSUS. Kendra is pursing advanced training with the Royal Academy of Dance. In 2005, Shreveport Dance Academy broadened its horizons by forming a group of Competition/Performance Ensembles for jazz and tap. Since their beginnings, the ensembles have swept the competitions, winning gold, platinum, and critic's choice awards.
  Since 2001, she has established herself as a prominent member of the Shreveport arts community, demonstrating her commitment to the future of dance through new work and education. Kendra has been most noted in the Shreveport community for Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's collaboration with the Shreveport Symphony in the new ballets Snow White in 2003 and Wizard of Oz in 2006. Most recently, Mrs. Meiki choreographed for The Shreveport Opera's production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. Kendra also donates her time to the Shreveport-Bossier City community through her work with the Junior League, the Cotillion Club, and as an advisory member of the Board of Directors of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet. Kendra is also a member of the Red River Revel Festival Planning Committee.In August 2010, Kendra was named to the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list as one of the top young entrepreneurial business leaders in Shreveport. At the "40 under 40" awards ceremony in December 2010, Kendra was named "Young Professional of the Year" for 2010. Mrs. Meiki was also named an Artist Fellowship Winner for dance from the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Recently, Shreveport Dance Academy, owned and operated by Kendra Meiki, was named as a Small Business of the Year for 2011 by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.