bios

Katherine Kiessling is a dancer and recent graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned dual degrees in Dance and Computer Science. She officially joined VIM VIGOR in 2025 and has since performed internationally in the company’s productions THE LONG FALL, MOTHERLOAD, DRACULA, and COUNTDOWN. She has also assisted the company throughout its physical practice and choreographic processes at the University of Michigan Department of Dance, the b12 Summer Festival, the Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Iceland University of the Arts, and Michigan Movement Performance Projects. Recently, she traveled to Croatia to serve as choreographic assistant and rehearsal director for Shannon Gillen’s new work for Zagreb Dance Company, premiering in September 2026. In May 2026, she assisted VIM VIGOR in choreographing for Michigan Movement Performance Projects and for Mavericks, b12’s new three-month contemporary dance training program in Berlin. In June 2026, Kiessling will also serve as a teacher, rehearsal director, and choreographic assistant for VIM VIGOR’s LUZ program in Sitges, Spain, an immersive international apprentice experience for rising artists, before returning to Berlin in July 2026 as an assistant for Shannon Gillen’s workshops at the annual b12 Summer Festival.