Penny King
The name Penny King has been synonymous with high quality classical ballet education in Grants Pass for almost thirty years. Originally from Santa Monica, CA, King began her dance training at a young age. She studied ballet, tap, and performed on many stages throughout Southern California, including Santa Monica Civic Ballet and Opera Company while studying ballet under Andrei Tremaine. Eventually, King added modern and contemporary techniques to her dance repertoire.
While back in Santa Monica, she went to dance classes at Santa Monica College, met Linda Gold and also toured Europe with the Linda Gold Dance Ensemble. She also danced as an apprentice with Rudy Perez, took classes with Stanley Holden, and studied tap with the great Sam Weber.
After moving to Oregon, King stopped to take a class at the school of the Eugene Ballet and was asked if she would like to perform with the company. She spent five years dancing with the company and others in the area and under the direction of people including the late Eric Hyrst.
In 1991, King opened Stillpoint Dance Studio in Grants Pass. Many former students have gone on to professional dance careers with companies including Oregon Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. 1991 was also the year she staged her first production of The Nutcracker Ballet, which has become an annual Grants Pass holiday tradition and regularly performs to sold-out audiences.
In addition to running a studio and producing The Nutcracker, King has been extensively involved with local theater. She has performed in, choreographed, and directed dozens of shows for Barnstormers, Rogue Music Theatre, and the GPHS drama department.
Over three decades Penny King has played an important role in the lives of the countless children who have called her teacher, many of whom have returned as parents to enroll their own children in her classes. She currently teaches at Southern Oregon Dance Center (SODC), as well as private instruction at her Easy Street Studio. She believes passionately in the unifying and healing power of the arts in general and dance in particular, and looks forward to many more years of sharing this passion with the community of Grants Pass.