Kelli Stevens
Chair for the Jazz Department and Professor of Dance
Dance & Entertainment
Dance - Chairs
Biography
Kelli Rhodes Stevens holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership Studies in Higher Education from Oklahoma State University and is a summa cum laude graduate of Oklahoma City University, where she received her Bachelor of Performing Arts degree in Dance Performance. Stevens has served as choreographer of university, children’s and local theater productions of Seussical the Musical, Guys and Dolls, Footloose, Bye Bye Birdie, Cats, The Music Man and Children of Eden, among others. Her choreography has been featured on various specials that were nationally televised on TLC, CMT and PBS. Her written work has been published in the Huffington Post and Dance Studios Life magazine. Stevens is a frequent guest choreographer and master teacher at Dance Studio Life magazine and conventions throughout the U.S. In addition to extensive training she received at Oklahoma City University, Stevens’ knowledge of dance was achieved through her studies at Ballet Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, and Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago.
At Oklahoma City University, Stevens serves as the Chair of the Jazz Dance Department, Director of the Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company and choreographer for the Star Dance Company. She teaches all levels of jazz dance technique classes as well as Jazz Pedagogy courses. One of her primary research interests is the history of dance. She applies this passion and knowledge to teaching a variety of dance history courses and has been interviewed as a dance historian for articles in both Dance Magazine and Dance Spirit Magazine.
