Kira Rai Daniel is a Houston-born dance artist, choreographer, and arts administrator whose work is rooted in a deep commitment to artistry, community, and creative leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance from Texas Christian University and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Columbia University.

Kira’s early training was shaped by the mentors at her home church, who recognized her talent and opened doors that circumstance might have otherwise closed. Coming from a single-parent household, access to formal studio training was not readily available — yet at the age of seven, through the guidance of the director of the dance department at Prairie View A&M University, she began training alongside college students and took the stage with them as well. That early experience set the tone for a career defined by excellence beyond expectation.

She went on to attend Johnson Middle School for the Performing and Visual Arts and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she performed works by Martha Graham, Sarah Stanley, Courtney D. Jones, Janie Carothers, and Zach Tang, and trained at two summers at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

At TCU, Kira honed her craft and emerged as both a distinguished choreographer and a campus leader. She worked alongside choreographers Jamila Glass, José Limón, Stephanie Pizzo, Bridget L. Moore, and Brynn Cohen. Her work Line. Point. Line. was selected from 50+ adjudicated pieces to be presented at the American College Dance Association Gala Concert, representing TCU at the regional level. Beyond the studio, she traveled to Kamonyi, Rwanda as a university representative, served as the inaugural sophomore representative of the Chi Tau Epsilon Honor Society Antiracist Coalition, and was recognized as a Clark Society Endowed Scholar and recipient of the Sullivan Excellence in the Arts Award.

Now based in New York, Kira continues to grow as a force in the contemporary dance world. She has performed at New York Live Arts through her work with Roderick George, and appeared in Ailey’s Extension Voices and Visions workshop under Martell Ruffin. She also debut in her first film Sh’ma: A Story of Survival. She played principal role “Olya”. The film is an the award winning and innovative dance film and went on the win The 2025 Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Choreography.

“A shining example of one who inspires generosity through leadership, scholarship, activism, and artistry” – Susan Douglas Roberts