Kirsten Barron Kinney graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine in where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Choreography and in Dance Performance. While attending UCI, she was a member of Donald McKayle’s modern company Etude Ensemble, Fresno Ballet under the direction of Donald Bradburn, and has returned to UCI as a guest choreographer for Bare Bones Dance Theatre in 2007, and as a guest performer for the Donald McKayle’s Tribute in 2009.

Kirsten moved to Seattle where she has enjoyed her focus on dance education, became a certified Pilates instructor, and freelanced as a dancer and choreographer over the last 25 years.