Richard Grund
Richard Grund began his dance training at Northern Illinois University where he completed his Theatre B.F.A. in Dance Performance, with minors in Music and Theatre. Following graduation, he joined the Dayton Ballet, performing principal and soloist roles in over 40 ballets in the company’s repertoire, including works by Alvin Ailey, Septime Webre, Stephen Mills, Collin Connor, Christopher Fleming and many others. His most recognized ballet performances include leading roles in Romeo and Juliet, Dracula, A Christmas Carol, The Three Musketeers, TOMMY, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker. In addition, he was appointed Rehearsal Captain for the company and assisted in staging company repertoire. He received the Josie Award in 2008 for Outstanding Artistry in Dance.
Mr. Grund toured three years with David Taylor Dance Theater, now Zikr Dance Ensemble, performing throughout the United States and Canada. Other international credits include invitation with the Finnish National Ballet, and performing a residency in Cuba commissioned through the Harkness Foundation. His credits include director and répétiteur for Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director Septime Webre’s productions of Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, and Carmen ballets, for the Colorado Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Royal Winnipeg Ballet companies.
Mr. Grund’s research in learner centered ballet teaching practices awarded him the MA degree in Education from the Royal Academy of Dance, and the University of Bath. He is an American Ballet Theatre® certified teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum, and a registered teacher with RAD®. Richard is an Associate Professor of dance at Northern Illinois University, and is on faculty at the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Chicago, IL.
Assistant Director, School of Theatre and Dance
Dance
Ballet, male technique, partnering, dance history, dance pedagogy
Office: GA 117A
Phone: 815-753-5502
Email: rgrund@niu.edu
