KELLY
BRUNK

Kelly Brunk is a multifaceted professional with a background in dance education, choreography, and an unexpected twist as a pharmacist. His dance journey began at the age of five, with most of his early training at Priscilla and Dana's School of Dance and the Kansas City Ballet School. Brunk graduated with honors in 2008 from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, earning a B.F.A. in Dance and a minor in Pre-Business. During his time at Tisch, he had the opportunity to study abroad at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Salzburg, Austria, where he performed pieces by renowned choreographer William Forsythe.

In 2008, Brunk joined GroundWorks Dance Theater under the direction of David Shimotakahara. His tenure with GroundWorks involved performing works by various choreographers, including Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Gina Gibney, David Parker, Keely Garfield, Amy Miller, KT Neihoff, and Diane McIntyre. He also played a leading role in A Soldier's Tale with Catch and Release, a collaboration involving the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Playhouse.

In 2010, Brunk became part of River North Dance Chicago, directed by Frank Chaves, and toured extensively, showcasing pieces by Daniel Ezralow, Sidra Bell, Kevin Iega Jeff, Sherry Zucker, as well as international tango superstars Sabrina and Ruben Veliz. Brunk also wore multiple hats during his time with River North, serving as an arts administrative intern, on-tour manager, and company class teacher.

Throughout his career, Brunk has made guest appearances with several companies, such as Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, Doug Elkins and Friends, Freemove Dance, and Heartlines Dance Company. He even ventured into the world of video games, appearing as a dancer avatar in Country Dance 2 for Wii. Brunk has been an active participant in philanthropic dance events for causes like HIV/AIDS and cancer, including Chicago's Dance for Life and Chicago Takes Off.

In 2013, Brunk returned to Kansas City, focusing on his passion for teaching. He took on the role of a company ballet class teacher for Quixotic, a contemporary aerial and circus arts company, while also teaching and choreographing at various dance studios and workshops across the United States, including Between The Lines, Broadway Dance Center, Defy Dance Project, and WinterMove.

Since 2017, Brunk has held a faculty position with Revive and Adrenaline Dance Conventions, where he imparts knowledge about ballet and injury prevention. His teaching philosophy centers on engaging both the body and mind, emphasizing a deep understanding of kinesiology and anatomy. Brunk believes in fostering conscientious curiosity in his students and embodies the mantra: "There's no growth in comfort and no comfort in growth."

In 2018, Brunk achieved a Pharm.D. with distinction from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, followed by post-graduate residencies at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and the University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Today, when he's not immersed in the world of dance education, Brunk serves as a clinical oncology pharmacist at The University of Kansas Health System and holds adjunct faculty positions at both the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Brunk expresses immense gratitude for the unwavering love and support of his husband, family, and friends.