Isaac Knuteson
Contemporary
Isaac was born in Perm, Russia, and adopted at the age of 18 months. At age three, he started dancing. He went on to join a competition team, winning many awards and scholarships, and competed at national events including NYCDA and Dupree Dance, and was an assistant for Dupree Dance In 2021. He also competed at Yagp & placed top 12 in contemporary in 2019. He then trained in New York City for a few months with Broadway Dance Center, Steps On Broadway, and Peridance Center – on full scholarships – and was awarded college scholarships from Studio School of Los Angeles, Point Park, and a $60,000 scholarship to AMDA. Isaac is also a Go 2 Talent agency representative in Los Angeles and is also a Heart of Gold representative.
After years of competing in various styles, including hip-hop, tap, Modern, and jazz, Isaac decided to dedicate himself to ballet. He trained with Madison Ballet as a pre-professional/trainee under the direction of Rachelle Fochs, and with Central Midwest Ballet as a pre-professional under the direction of Marguerite Luksik. He attended numerous summer intensives at Ballet Austin, Point Park Dance, Kanopy Dance, Miami City Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Des Moines Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Visceral Dance Chicago, Madison Ballet, Nova Línea, & Oklahoma City Ballet – all on scholarships. He then attended Oklahoma City Ballet postgraduate division & Nashville Ballet & Miami City Ballet Pre-professional division.
Isaac was a guest artist and performed with Madison Contemporary Dance in 2021 & with New Brese Dance Company in 2023. Isaac also has worked and been mentored by some of the leading choreographers and teachers like Oliver Muñoz, Jason Ambrose, Anaïs Chalendard, Brian Stevens, Lourdes Lopez, Herman Payne, Chantel Aguirre, Craig Black, Terrill Mitchell, Nick Mullikin, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye & Tracie Stanfield.
Isaac has performed in many classical pieces such as “The Nutcracker”, “La Bayadera”, “Western Symphony”, “Paquita”, “Borreguita and the Coyote”, & George Balanchine’s “AGON”. He also has performed contemporary works at Nashville Ballet & Oklahoma City Ballet choreographed by Julia Eisen & Chloe Jenson. Isaac has worked with and performed pieces by Annie Franklin, Madison Hicks, Arizne Okammor & performed his work “Marginal”, Kameron Saunders & performed his work “Femme”, Braeden Barnes & performed his work “I am” & performed new works by Morgan Williams. Isaac has also performed at multiple dance festivals, “No Dance Festival”, and “Death Door Dance Festival”, & has taught at Water Street Dance Festival, & performed at Club Jete in L.A.
Isaac has begun to choreograph his own pieces, and his work has been winning many overalls and judge’s awards. His choreography has been nominated for the Industry Dance Awards for 2023. He also choreographed “Water On Water” for the trainees at Water Street. Isaac is currently dancing for Water Street Dance Milwaukee professionally for the 2023 spring/summer season.
“MPDC is an amazing place; highly trained & experienced instructors that teach strong technique and unique choreography! My daughter has been dancing for 5 years but has grown so much as a dancer in the few months that she has joined the dance company, I almost cant believe it. One other important thing is the people are nice here. Nice kids and friendly parents. The owner is impartial and makes an effort to make every dancer feel important and an integral part of the company. Couldn’t be happier at MPDC.”
