Wendy Clinard is Artistic Director of Clinard Dance Theatre a global interdisciplinary ensemble founded in 1999.After completing a BFA at The Art Inst of Chicago in 1993, Clinard embarked on a rigorous apprenticeship with flamenco dancer Edo Sie and augmented her studies in Spain with notable teachers such as: Juana Amaya and Hiniesta Cortez.

In 1999 Clinard’s personal and global heritage found themselves in living Technicolor as she began choreographing original dance theatre. They have created four full evening works (Quest of Theseus, Shifting Landscapes, Unraveling Rhythms, Jondo Portraits) and several smaller choreographic works since 1999. Unraveling Rhythms toured India in 2005 and the Midwest in 2006/2007 and excerpts of Jondo Portraits were shared in Syria in summer 2009.

The company has been supported by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation (2002 through 2009), The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation (2001 through 2009), The Illinois Arts Council (2004 through 2009), The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (2004 through 2009), the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (2007 through 2009), the Puffin Foundation (2003 and 2006), and the Geraldine J. Laff Foundation (2004). All to whom they are grateful.

Through her company work Clinard has been an invited choreographer to Jacob’s Pillow (Summer 2000) working alongside Victoria Marks and Deborah Jowitt, and The Birmingham Royal Ballet (Birmingham England (Fall 2001). The company has participated in a guest residency at the Hambidge Center in Rapbun, Georgia (Summer 2002) and at The Chicago Cultural Center’s Dance Bridge Program (Fall 2006). Clinard has choreographed for companies such as: Homer Bryant Ballet (2002/03) and Ballet La Rosa, Miami (2007) in a flamenco adaptation of The Crucible.

Clinard has taught for the past 14 years in schools, higher education and dance/theatre/painting studios. Locally she has taught for Chicago’s Gallery37, De Paul University, Columbia College, College of Lake County, Salt Creek Ballet, Homer Bryant Ballet, Dimitri Roudnev Ballet, and Redmoon Theatre. Clinard has been in residency at Walsh Elementary, 2007-present, located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood where Clinard Dance also runs their adult and pre professional dance studio.

Wendy has been a soloist and collaborator with Las Guitarras de España since 1999. The ensemble has traveled and performed extensively in the United States and abroad.