Who We Are

Kinetics Dance Theatre (KDT) is a non-profit organization. KDT houses Kinetics Dance Company, presenting a rich repertoire of innovative concert dance, Kinetics School of Dance, offering classes in dance technique and theory to students of all ages and levels, and Kinetics Youth Ensemble, providing opportunities for devoted youth to perform and participate in dance opportunities throughout the area

Vision

Kinetics Dance Theatre plays a critical role in the community by increasing the accessibility of dance. 

Mission

Kinetics Dance Theatre’s mission is to provide diverse, equitable, and inclusive dance experiences to a vast range of communities. Kinetics Dance Theatre strives to make dance accessible by offering multifaceted opportunities through education, performance, and outreach within each of its organizational components: Kinetics School of Dance, Kinetics Youth Ensemble, and Kinetics Dance Company. 

Our History

In 1984, Dorothy Fried, Keith Nichols and Stephanie Simmons founded Kinetics Dance Theatre as a space for local dance artists to create and perform.

Liz Quiñones – Artistic Director

Liz Quiñones graduated from University of Maryland Baltimore County with a B.A. in Dance and a certificate in K-12 Education. Succeeding graduation, Liz taught dance in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Serving as a master teacher/presenter is one of the ways Liz shares her passion for dance. She has presented at the following events: National Dance Education Organization Conference (2019), Regional High School Dance Festival (2017), Maryland Dance Education Association Conference (2021, 2023), Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase (2020, 2023), Maryland Middle School Dance Showcase (2021, 2022), public school dance festivals, and public school professional development for dance educators (ongoing). Liz has collaborated with local dance companies such as Full Circle Dance Company and LucidBeings Dance. Her choreographic works have been showcased in events such as the Baltimore Dance Invitational (2019), the Maryland Council for Dance Professional Artist’s Concert (2019), and the Annual Maryland Choreographer’s Showcase (2022). Liz joined the Kinetics Dance Theatre community in 2019 as School Manager and is now the Artistic Director. Liz oversees all programmatic operations for the organization in addition to directing Kinetics Dance Company and providing class instruction. In 2021, Liz completed her M.F.A in Dance from Hollins University. Later that year, Liz was awarded Dance Teacher of the Year – Private Sector by the Maryland Dance Education Association. Liz is currently focusing her efforts on creating safer dance spaces by studying diversity, equity, & inclusion research within the dance field.

Anna Aloi – Operations Director

Anna Aloi graduated with a BA in Studio Art from the University of Maryland College Park in 1996.  She specialized in oil painting/lithography & was on the Dean’s List consecutively during her academic tenure.  After getting her Art Degree she went on to pursue her passion for healthy living & cooking by obtaining her license in food service management.  Over the next 10 years, Anna was the manager and chef of a local College Park treasure. At the vegetarian/vegan café she planned menus, catered functions and taught cooking classes in a warm personal setting.  In 2000, she moved to Ellicott City to start a family and quickly became part of the Kinetics Community.  Having been a dedicated competitive dancer for over 10 years with Linda Natoli Studios of Dance, Anna was excited at the opportunity and accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors in 2003.  As Kinetics Dance Theatre has grown, so has Anna’s role over the years.  Anna has served as Kinetics Dance Theatre’s Operations Director since 2011.  And has over twenty years with the organization in some capacity. 

Alex J. Krebs – Associate Artistic Director

Alex J. Krebs has distinguished herself as an artist and educator throughout Maryland for over a decade. Holding a BA in Dance from UMBC, she is now the Associate Artistic Director of Kinetics Dance Theatre, a non-profit dance organization located in Ellicott City, MD. She directs the Kinetics Youth Ensemble, a non-competitive student dance company for students in grades 4-12. Alex assits KDT Artistic Director, Liz Quinones, with Kinetics Dance Company and the operation of the other components of Kinetics Dance Theatre.

In addition to working with KDT, Alex is also a Senior Adjunct of Dance at Howard Community College, where she has been the Assistant Artistic Director of HCC’s Dance Company for 5 years and teaching classes for dance majors and non-majors for 8 years. With a broad performance resume including work with Baltimore Dance Project, LucidBeings Dance and Masala Soul Project, Alex has performed in and created works for notable showcases (Megopolis Music Festival, Baltimore’s Artscape, The MD Choreographer’s Showcase and more).

Alex was awarded MDEA’s “Dance Educator of the Year – Teaching Artist” for 2022. It is Alex’s goal to instill confidence and creativity in her students and collaborators of all ages. She feels strongly that dance education is reciprocal, and that she learns from her students every day.

Marissa Guerrero Elliott – School Director

Marissa Guerrero Elliott is a dance artist/educator, yoga instructor, arts administrator, and most importantly a busy mom of two boys. She is constantly balancing her daily life of motherhood, dance career and the love for yoga. Marissa was a faculty member at Towson University where she taught dance history, jazz/modern technique classes and yoga. Marissa has performed for various professional companies in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas. She has had the opportunity to serve as faculty at University of Maryland, College Park, Kinetics Dance Theatre, City Dance Center at Strathmore, and Georgetown University through their Summer Discovery Program.

In addition to teaching, Marissa has had the opportunity to work as an arts administrator for the Maryland Youth Ballet and National Dance Education Organization. She earned a BFA degree in dance performance and choreography from the Ohio University, Athens in 2001 and received a MFA degree in dance with an emphasis in choreography from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2008. In addition to her degrees, Marissa earned her 200hr Yoga certification from the Pranakriya School of Yoga Healing Arts in 2014 and her Basic Prenatal Yoga certification in 2021. She continues to be a guest dance artist at various performing arts organizations and is pursuing the completion of her 500hr certification in yoga. Marissa is excited to be joining as the Registrar for Kinetics Dance Theatre!

Gretta Zinski – Registrar

Gretta is a contemporary dance artist who graduated from UMBC in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Fillmore in Silver Spring, two American College Dance Association Conferences, and annually in UMBC Dance Department showcases during her undergraduate career. She now dances with the Kinetics Dance Theater Professional Company and creates a variety of pre-recorded and live contemporary dance works. She explores site-specific, multi-media, and dance film ideas in her work. Currently, Gretta works as a personal trainer and specialized dance coach to help young dancers, and anyone else, reach their performance and/or fitness goals to live a happier, healthier, and fulfilling life!