Biography

Originally from Richardson Texas, Kelly Mayfield has made her home in Washington, D.C. where she is the Founder/Artistic Director of Contradiction Dance: An Exchange Between Life & Dance. The company blends contemporary and classical forms of modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop with storytelling and theatre to foster discussion, reflection, and change through live performance and dance education. In addition to her work with Contradiction Dance, Kelly performs with Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Echo Park Contemporary Ballet, and works as a freelance dancer, director, choreographer, actress, model, writer, and education consultant.

Since 2006, her work has been presented by: Round House Theatre, The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, St. Mary's College, Live! At Wilson Plaza, Cheza! Television Show, National Public Radio, Virginia Public Television, Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council, Cast of Thousands, Joy of Motion, Great Dance, and Bourgeon Journal of Dance. The Washington Post writes, "Choreographer Kelly Mayfield proved that this aging genre [jazz] can be fresh and relevant in the 21st century." As dancer, Ms. Mayfield has performed nationally and internationally including: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Music Center at Strathmore, Dance Place, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Texas, Nebraska, Poland, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Russia (Mussorsky Theatre), Lithuania, and Singapore. The Washington Post writes, "Mayfield was a clean mover whose leaps were so high and expansive they barely cleared the theater's ceiling."

From 2002-2006, Kelly served CityDance Ensemble as Associate Director, Director of Education and performer. Prior to her tenure with CityDance, she choreographed and performed for Jazzdanzd.c., both in the nation's capitol. Kelly is also a former staff member of Starmaker's Dance and Performance Camps and Mike Miller & Associates. Along the way, Ms. Mayfield earned her B.A. in Dance from the University of Maryland and is a former Kilgore College Rangerette.

Most of the time, Kelly is consumed by the insatiable need to create, learn, and ponder. She loves the challenges that come with finding a balance between art, life, and the necessary work/play that finances it. While she wears many hats in the dance world, her favorite role in life is mother. She has a beautiful and precocious daughter who makes every day a worthwhile adventure.

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