Marsha Barsky

Marsha Barsky is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Dance at Kennesaw State University (KSU). With over 20 years of experience in dance education and creative programming, she has previously held roles as Director of Dance at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where she developed Tennessee’s first bachelor’s degree in Dance, and as Director of the Vanderbilt University Dance Program. She is certified in the Alexander Technique, Gyrokinesis®, and Hatha Yoga, integrating somatics and holistic wellness into her research and teaching.

• BFA in Dance from Arizona State University (1999)
• MFA in Performance, Choreography, and Somatics from University of Colorado at Boulder (2003)
• GYROKINESIS® Certification (2019)
• Alexander Technique Certification (2011)
• Reiki Certification (2001)

Her research focuses on the intersection of dance, somatics, and mindful movement practices. Recent publications explore Mikhail Bakhtin’s theories in modern dance contexts and the embodied spatial-temporal dynamics of dance rehearsals. Her work emphasizes the application of somatic methodologies to enhance creative processes and dancer well-being.

Barsky’s 2023 and 2021 publications highlight her engagement with interdisciplinary frameworks, blending dance education, choreographic theory, and philosophical analysis. These works reflect her commitment to advancing pedagogical practices and expanding the discourse on dance’s role in holistic wellness and social interaction.

• Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Fellowship Award for choreography (2019)

Barsky has mentored students and professionals through her directorship of Company Rose (2008-2018), international teaching engagements, and leadership roles in academic dance programs. She has received institutional support for her research, including grants from the Government of Quebec and Canada for her edited volume work. Her presentations at conferences like the National Dance Education Organization Conference underscore her influence in dance scholarship and practice.