ARTISIT BIO

 

Kelly McMahon Crain, a Houston Texas native, received her formative training under Evelyn Ireton at Houston Academy of Dance.  She was awarded a scholarship and attended The University of Texas at Austin where she continued her focus majoring in Dance. Kelly has been recognized by the American College Dance Festival for her choreography and has been teaching in the Chicagoland area for the past 20 years. Kelly continues to teach master workshops. She was also a master adjudicator for Applause Talent. 

 

Kelly danced with Chrysalis Dance Company in Houston, Texas, before moving to Chicago. She joined Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre in Chicago where she served as Rehearsal Director, Costume Designer, Events Advisory Board member, and Company Member for most of her professional career. She toured locally for many years and participated in Dance Chicago as well as other local festivals. She also had the honor to perform at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. Kelly has studied and worked with Gus Giordano, Doug Elkins, Claire Bataille, Pam Tanis, Patty Eyler, Sean Curran, Cheryl Mann, Michelle Manzanales of Luna Negra and Ballet Hispanico, Eddy Ocampo, Dionna PridGeon, Harrison McEldowney and Wilfredo Rivera. 

 

When she’s not dancing, Kelly can be found in a pilates class or volunteering at her children’s school. She also serves on the board for The Period Collective, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization which provides feminine hygiene products to homeless and low-income women throughout the greater Chicago area.