TRISTIAN GRIFFIN
A native of Kansas City, MO Tristian Griffin graduated from Texas Christian University in Ballet and a minor in English. While at TCU, his choreography was selected to participate in American Dance College Association’s regional conference and a semi-finalist for nationals. Following graduation, Tristian began his professional career and danced with Garth Fagan Dance Company, Wylliams-Henry Contemporary Dance Company, the Metropolitan Opera House (NYC), and Springboard Danse Montreal. In 2019, Tristian reconnected with his passion for choreography by starting his dance company, Tristian Griffin Dance Company. His company has performed in Kansas City, Lawrence KS, Newport RI, Philadelphia PA, St. Louis MO, Kalamazoo MI, and San Diego CA. TGDC has appeared at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Charlotte Street Foundation, Newport Dance Festival, Kemper Contemporary Museum, and International Dance Festival. As a choreographer, Tristian has been commissioned by over 15 professional companies, universities, art galleries, and pre-professional institutions. His most recent commissions include Kennesaw University, Newport Contemporary Ballet (Island Moving Company), Peabody Institute of The John Hopkins University, Wylliams-Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Malashock Dance Company, and the University of Kansas. In 2023, Tristian was selected as a recipient of the Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellowship. Most recently, he taught full-time as a visiting professor of practice at the University of Kansas and a guest teaching artist at the University of Missouri Kansas City. From 2019 to 2023, he was awarded artist-in-residence at Lawrence Arts Center. In 2024, he will pursue his MFA at Duke University, studying Dance in Composition with an emphasis on African and African-American Studies.