Laura Katz Rizzo

Laura Katz Rizzo serves as Associate Professor of Dance at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, where she contributes to both performance and academic aspects of dance education. With deep expertise in classical ballet pedagogy and history, she bridges scholarly research with practical dance instruction.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Dance, a Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies, and an MEd in Dance, all from Temple University, plus a BA in History from the University of New Mexico. This interdisciplinary foundation informs her approach to dance scholarship and pedagogy.

Rizzo specializes in ballet history, choreography, and pedagogy with particular focus on the Vaganova method and classical ballet traditions. Her research examines how cultural narratives are embodied in dance works, especially fairy tale ballets like The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. She has received certification in the Vaganova method of classical ballet pedagogy and is an ABT certified teacher.

Her publications reveal consistent engagement with ballet historiography, pedagogical traditions, and cross-cultural dance analysis. The works span from scholarly book publications to contemporary dance journalism, showing her ability to address both academic and general audiences while maintaining rigorous analytical perspectives on ballet as a living art form.

Rizzo has presented papers, choreographic work, and taught master classes at prestigious institutions including The University of Pennsylvania, The University of Chicago, Sarah Lawrence College, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her professional activities extend to media contributions for Dance Chronicle, Playbill Magazine, and Critical Correspondence.

With extensive performance experience including principal roles in The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and other classical works, Rizzo brings practical expertise to her academic work. She has performed with companies including Ballet South, the Russian Ballet Theatre of Delaware, and the Santa Fe Opera Company, among others.