Skip to main content

Kairos Alive! transforms lives through dance and story.

Stemming from an idea founder Maria Genné had when her daughter Parker was 17, Kairos Alive! took full shape in 1999 as the first intergenerational modern dance company in the Twin Cities.

Since then, their work has expanded, transforming Kairos into a community-based arts and arts education organization that welcomes all to the community circle.

“I met a group of older adults in this adult day program,” Maria said. "As we started dancing, I noticed that people started remembering stories or saying 'Oh, I thought I'd forgotten that.'... It was an opportunity to see older people as beautiful people with gifts and stories as well as the young ones and that we are supposed to be together. We're not supposed to be in separate groups.”

video poster

Intergenerational Connection

Kairos operates through a Choreography of Care, with programs that put elders at the center of dance, movement, storytelling and intergenerational connection. Among their programs are the Intergenerational Dance Hall public participation events, Dancing Heart weekly programming and Community Arts and Wellbeing residencies.

During the pandemic, Kairos shifted its programs to keep seniors connected through Zoom, continuing their work to combine health, arts education and dance to support the wellbeing of seniors.

"What is so cool about Zoom is how many people across the world are dancing together," Maria said. "And they're all ages, all backgrounds, all abilities, all understandings, and they're dancing to the same music, they're sharing things that matter to them. That’s the healing."

“What is so cool about Zoom is how many people across the world are dancing together. And they're all ages, all backgrounds, all abilities, all understandings, and they're dancing to the same music, they're sharing things that matter to them. That’s the healing.

Maria Genné

More Stories

Brass Solidarity: Bringing Music to George Floyd Square

Trumpet player Butchy Austin and his band, Brass Solidarity, use their sound for good every Monday in George Floyd Square.

See the project

Minnesota Latino Museum: Celebrating Mexican and Latino Art and Culture

Learn how one organization is establishing an arts and cultural landmark in Saint Paul.

See the Highlights

Announcing Our 2025 Facing Race Award Recipients

This year’s awards recognize five Minnesotans building solutions that unite instead of divide from Saint Paul and Minneapolis to Duluth and Winona.

Read the News

Making Red Wing an Arts & Culture Destination

Art adds value to every community – and in Red Wing, Minnesota, a collaboration is bolstering economic growth and cultural vibrancy.

See the Highlights

A Letter from Chanda On Her First Day

Chanda Smith Baker, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation President & CEO, shares a note to community on her first day leading the Foundation.

Read the letter

Inspiring Generosity in the Arts

At a recent Giving+Together event, art leaders addressed the economic and cultural benefits of the arts in our lives.

See the Highlights

Warroad RiverPlace: Where Art Meets Community Engagement

Learn how one arts nonprofit is making art more accessible in Warroad.

Read the story

Chanda Smith Baker Named President & CEO of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

Meet the Foundation's New President & CEO in this letter to community from Board Chair Dr. Joseph Lee.

Read the news

GET MONTHLY STORIES, NEWS AND UPDATES

JOIN
US!

* Indicates a required field