Dance Program Director, Amanda Kinzer Remembered for Vibrancy and Dedication
March 13, 2017
Amanda Kinzer
Amanda Kinzer, remembered by her colleagues for her love, passion and dedication, died March 9 surrounded by family.
Kinzer, Old Dominion University's dance program director and an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts, was 44.
"My heart is so heavy and sad to think about Amanda's young, vibrant life cut so tragically short," wrote Stephen Pullen, director of Old Dominion's Department of Communication and Theatre Arts, in an email to colleagues "She will be so dearly missed by all of us who were fortunate to know her personally and feel her presence in our lives."
Kinzer was with the University since 2001. She received a M.F.A in dance performance and choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2000 and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994.
Kinzer has performed with the Modernextension Dance Company, Second Wind Dance Company, Tidewater Dance Collective, Gravity Optional Dance Company, CREO New Music Ensemble and as an independent artist. She's also won accolades, including Old Dominion University's Faculty of the Month and Shining Star Awards.
Her choreography has been featured in productions at several higher education institutions including Old Dominion University; the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and Elon University.
Marilyn Marloff, a longtime colleague and close friend, said Kinzer was hard working and an inspiration to many.
"She had an incredible work ethic. She was a beautiful performer, a wonderful choreographer and a fabulous teacher," she said. "She was kind, fair and she was very dedicated to her students."
Marloff noted that when she hired Kinzer she was happy to find someone who shared a similar passion for the program.
"It feels like she's been my partner through this. As soon as I hired her, I felt like she cared about the dance program as much as I did," she said. "That was really special. It's going to be hard without her."
In honor of Kinzer, ODU's dance program will host a tribute concert and reception Saturday, April 15th at 8 p.m. as part of the University Dance Theatre's annual Spring Concert. For more information call the Arts and Letters Box Office at 757-683-5305.