Chris Strauss

Chris grew up in Oklahoma, and after spending every waking moment in a tutu, started dance classes at the age of 5. There, he studied and performed with the Norman Ballet Company, under the direction of Marjorie Kovich, and had the opportunity to train in ballet and modern dance with Tulsa Ballet, the University of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain. Chris attended the University of Oklahoma where he received a BS in Psychology and Mathematics, and continued their study of dance performance and education, performing and touring with Hartel Dance Group. Upon graduation, he relocated to North Carolina to pursue a PhD in Quantitative Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since then, he has performed repertory by Merce Cunningham, and collaborated with numerous local dance artists. Currently, Chris dances locally with COMPANY, directed by Justin Tornow. Chris has taught ballet, modern, and contemporary dance since college and is excited to continue dance education with Barriskill!