Arts & Culture

Kiyon grew up in Laytonsville, Maryland, a small suburb outside of Baltimore. His mom was a single parent who raised him and his two older siblings, a brother and a sister, with help from his aunt and grandmother. Kiyon describes his mother, grandmother and aunt as very strong women who emphasized the core values of hard work, extreme perseverance as not only the building blocks for achievement, but also the...

Kiyon Gaines teaches students in both the Men’s Professional Division and the Open Adult Classes at Pacific Northwest Ballet

When Kiyon Gaines walks into the studio and lights up the room with his mega-watt presence, saying Good morning, Everybody, dancers feel his energy drawing them in. Soon dancers of all levels and abilities, from seasoned and aspiring professionals to weekend hobbyists, are...