Welcome, Professor Timothy Lynch!

Photo by John Dixon

The University of Utah School of Dance is pleased to welcome Timothy Lynch, who joins the faculty this coming academic year as an Assistant Professor.

Lynch comes to the U from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where he is an Assistant Professor. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at California State University-Fullerton, and as a guest faculty member at Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Grand Rapids Ballet. Lynch holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts (Summa Cum Laude) and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Photo by John Dixon

“I am absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to be joining the University of Utah as their newest Assistant Professor in the School of Dance,” said Lynch. 

Lynch grew up on Long Island and trained for 10 years on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet. In 1993, he left New York and Fordham University to join Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) in Seattle, Washington. “My professional career with Pacific Northwest Ballet afforded me the opportunity to dance a diverse repertoire in both classical and contemporary ballet and to tour around the world,” said Lynch.

In his time with PNB, Lynch performed featured roles in George Balanchine’s Agon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Four Temperaments, along with works by Jerome Robbins, Kent Stowell, and Paul Taylor. Additionally, Lynch originated roles in works by Donald Byrd, Val Caniparoli, Kevin O’Day, Mark Dendy, Kent Stowell, and Lynne Taylor-Corbett.. Lynch’s rich international performing experience also includes character roles such as Carabosse in Ronald Hynd’s Sleeping Beauty, Herr Drosselmeier in Kent Stowell’s The Nutcracker, and Gamache in Kevin Mackenzie’s Don Quixote. His film credits include the role of Nick Bottom in the BBC Production of Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Photo credit: @angelasterlingphotography 

Lynch became co-director of PNB’s Outreach Youth Performing Group in 2001, along with teaching in PNB’s outreach and education Dance Chance program. In 2003, he was invited to join Pacific Northwest Ballet School as a full-time faculty member, where he helped build and shape the men’s program for over 10 years. .

In 2007, Lynch co-founded Seattle Dance Project, a uniquely collaborative non-profit focused on community outreach and arts education. He directed and danced with Seattle Dance Project in their performances of original works by Donald Byrd, James Canfield, Pat Catterson, Molissa Fenley, Kiyon Gaines, Edwaard Liang, Wade Madsen, Eva Stone, Kent Stowell, Olivier Wevers, Ellie Sandstrom, and Hilde Koch.

In 2011, Lynch earned the KOMO Kids First Award for mentoring local youth and was awarded Educator of the Year 2012 from the Dance Educators Association of Washington.. His strong belief in education leads him to continue to find ways to further his professional development. He also has presented his pedagogical research both locally and nationally through the National Dance Education Organization conferences.

Lynch served as the Academy Director for BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio from 2014 to 2016. During his tenure with the company, he created a boy’s program, expanded the pre-professional trainee program, and rebranded the adult dance fitness classes. His deep conviction regarding the transformative qualities of yoga led him to complete his 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification in 2016.

Photo by John Dixon

In 2017, Lynch co-founded Lynch Dance Institute in San Diego, California and was invited to join the acclaimed faculty of the world-renowned Colburn School in Los Angeles by then-director Jenifer Ringer, a former New York City Ballet principal dancer.

“The mission of the University of Utah- to foster creativity, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration-resonates deeply with my own teaching philosophy and research agenda,” said Lynch. He continued:

I believe that dance, as a living and evolving art form, thrives when supported by a robust academic environment that encourages exploration, critical thinking, and artistic expression.  In this context, I am eager to contribute to the dynamic and diverse community of scholars and artists at this esteemed institution. 

I also look forward to working alongside members of Utah's recognized and thriving arts and dance community. I am excited to collaborate, learn, and contribute in the years ahead. Thank you for welcoming me into this incredible community. I can’t wait to begin this exciting journey with you all.

“We are excited to welcome Tim to the School of Dance community,” said School of Dance Director Melonie Murray, “his years as a professional, alongside his impressive teaching experience and devotion to education make him a wonderful addition to our team.”

Welcome, Timothy Lynch, to the School of Dance!