Courtney Kristen Liu

Movement Storyteller

About

Up to date information on choreography, teaching, research, & more can be found here


Courtney Liu is a movement storyteller who draws upon experience in music theatre, commercial dance, dance theatre, and interactive theatre to choreograph, direct, teach, and perform. She is an Assistant Professor of Music Theatre at Elon University. 


In addition to choreographing and co-directing productions at Elon University, Courtney has served as Assistant Dance Captain at the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and as Assistant Director for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Her music theatre and concert dance choreography has been commissioned by Forestburgh Theatre, Duke University, the Ciompi Quartet, Thistle Dance, Barriskill Dance Theatre School, and the American Dance Festival in collaboration with the Nasher Museum. 


Prior to launching her dance career, Courtney managed an NIH-funded study evaluating the effects of Aprepitant for opioid withdrawal at Bellevue Hospital/NYU Langone Medical Center. Courtney’s experience in the field of psychology and her identity as a mixed-race Asian American continues to inform her creative and scholarly research. Please see Choreography tab for more details. 


Performing credits include the Broadway cast of the Phantom of the Opera, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Queen of the Night, AEA & Disney Developmental labs, the Broadway Dance Lab, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Busch Gardens Theme Parks, various performances sponsored by the American Dance Festival Performances, and guest performances with the Cincinnati Ballet and the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.


Courtney is a dance pedagogue who has published her pedagogical research in the Journal of Dance Education (JODE) and presented papers/posters/workshops at the Embodied Learning Summit, CORPS de Ballet International, the Appearance Matters Conference, and the National Dance Educators Organization. Please see Teaching tab for more details. 


Certifications: 

-Giordano Jazz Certified Teacher in Levels 1 & 2

-Luigi Jazz Certified Teacher in Levels 1 & 2

-ABT® Certified Teacher in levels Pre-Primary through Level 3

-RYT-200 certified yoga instructor

-Completed "A Practical Approach to Directing" at Yale University

-Completed the Leadership in Practice (LIP) Director's Training 


Affiliations: Actor's Equity Organization (AEA), National Dance Educators Association (NDEO), CORPS de Ballet International


Education: MFA, Duke University; BA, Duke University


Curriculum vitae available here.


***Photo credits to KB Media, James Jin Images, and Robert Zimmerman (Nasher Teen Council photo (https://nasher.duke.edu/teens)*** 

Dance Reel and Improvisation Reel

Please direct all communication to courtneykristenliu@gmail.com.