Wednesday 1 April 2026

Liz Kinoshita – New Artistic Director of Norrdans

Toronto meets Härnösand as choreographer Liz Kinoshita takes up the position of Head of Dance and Artistic Director of Norrdans on August 1. “I consider Norrdans to be one of the most exciting dance companies right now, and the company’s mission to consistently bring dance to northern Sweden is so important and inspiring to me,” she says.

Liz Kinoshita is an acclaimed choreographer known for her innovative, imaginative, and often song-driven dance performances. Born in Toronto, Canada, she has lived and worked in Europe since 2002. Kinoshita’s works have been presented around the world, and one of her most well-known pieces, VOLCANO, explored the concept of globetrotting and our way of life, inspired by the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. She has also been part of Rosas’ artistic team for West Side Story on Broadway and created the work Saga Saga, which premiered at the Brådjupa Dance Festival in Blekinge.

In spring 2024, she choreographed Midnight Oil for Norrdans, giving her the opportunity to get to know the company.

“The dancers are world-class — they are all brilliant stars — and the entire team creating the works possesses such effective expertise, skill, and care. In addition, Norrdans has some of the country’s strongest and most well-founded strategies when it comes to dance development work aimed at audiences of all ages,” says Liz Kinoshita.

Liz Kinoshita has a strong foundation as a dance artist both internationally and nationally — not least through her involvement with Danscentrum and Höjden, an interdisciplinary artist-driven platform in Stockholm. She is driven by a desire to make contemporary dance more accessible.

“I am absolutely delighted that Liz has chosen to join us! In Liz, we are gaining a Head of Dance who is both a powerful dance artist and a natural voice in the dance world. She is also someone with clear and strong leadership qualities. She will be a tremendous asset not only to Norrdans, but to all of Scenkonst Västernorrland,” says Mikael Flodström, CEO of Scenkonst Västernorrland.

This summer, Liz Kinoshita and her family will relocate from Stockholm to Härnösand, and on August 1 she officially assumes the role as Head of Dance.

“My family and I are very excited to explore Västernorrland, the High Coast, and beyond, and to see our children grow up in this beautiful community and environment. I am eager to learn as much as possible about the local culture, in order to encourage greater exchange of knowledge and visions for the performing arts field and its place within local communities,” she says.