Kim Trudell

Kim trained in dance at Somerset Ballet under Jane Pierce and continued at Louisiana Tech University under Dianne Maroney where she graduated magna cum laude in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a Master’s in Education emphasizing Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings.

For three decades she’s performed, taught and choreographed dance, musical theatre, children’s classes and camps, and performances for a diverse range of organizations. She began teaching for Kansas City Ballet in 2006 specializing in the Children’s Division and leading professional development and mentorship for faculty.

She was selected by Luna Dance Institute (Berkeley, CA) for the 2016-17 cohort of dance educators to train on scholarship for their nationally acclaimed professional learning program. She was recognized for excellence in the field of dance education with professional development scholarships from the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO, 2018) and Dance/USA (2017) and by Kansas Academy of Theatrical Arts for eleven years of service to arts education for youth in KCK (2024). She was selected to serve as a mentor for NDEO’s Dance Studio Educators Mentorship Program (2025).

Additionally, Kim’s 20+ years of experience in Pilates and fitness include Polestar’s Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training and Personal Training Certification through the American Council on Exercise.

Kim currently oversees the Partnerships Department for Kansas City Ballet, where she leads initiatives that make dance accessible to all of us. She founded Kansas City Ballet’s Adaptive Dance program (2015) and Creative Aging for individuals living with Parkinson’s and dementia (2025).