DANCING CLOWN INSTRUCTOR
Grindl is a clown, a unique Canadian artist who combines the dedication and discipline of a dancer with the whimsical spontaneity of a clown, a silent poet of movement, a “globetrotter of laughter and emotion”.
Ms. Kuchirka possesses a wealth of training in dance and movement as well as over 30 years of experience touring as a solo clown throughout North America, Europe, Asia, India and South America. She has created, developed and conducted her Dancing Clown Workshop in Canada, France, Holland, India and Brasil. An experienced choreographer for both Theatre and Television she is beloved by thousands of young admirers through her appearances as Granny Garbanzo in the Gemini Award-winning children’s television show The Big Comfy Couch.
Her studies of modern dance and ballet include work with Paula Ross, Nadia Pavlychenko, Kathryn Brown, Maria Asamasova and The Teacher’s Collective Toronto. She has studied tai chi with Donna Oliver and movement and theatre with Monica Pagneux. Her studies in clown include Pierre Byland, Jeanmarie Bevort, and Maria Cassi.
Teaching credits include residencies with Claude Watson School For The Arts, Pavlychenko Studio, Amsterdam Clown School, ClownschoolBuus, Holland, Passepartout Holland, Paula Ross Dancers, Arts Umbrella, Vancouver, L’Auguste Rendez-vous, Montreal, SickKids Hospital, Toronto Board of Education, York University, SPACE, Toronto, Women’s International Clown Festival Rio De Janeiro, AIMS Hospital Cochin, India.
Grindl Kuchirka’s artistic endeavors have been generously supported by The Ontario Arts Council, Laidlaw Foundation, Toronto Arts Council, and The Canada Council for The Arts.