We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zoe Marinello-Kohn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Zoe , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My passion as an artist is creating works that reflect relevant observations of the world around me. As a choreographer I have used topics such as the Women’s Movement, Climate Change, long distance relationships and personal health challenges as inspiration for my pieces.

I am also a poly-synesthete and I have explored my colorful reality in several of my productions. In 2023 I had the opportunity to create a full performance based on the subject of Synesthesia called “Mind. Body. Connections.” presented by Journey Through the Senses, in San Diego, CA.

Synesthesia is a neurological phenomena where a person experiences one sense when they perceive another sense. For instance a synesthete who hears a sound could “see” a visual representation triggered by the noise. In essence a synesthete might be able to “see” sounds or music.
In “Mind. Body. Connections.” I presented two original pieces and had a Q & A. For the first piece I reconstructed a previous iteration of a 20 minute piece set to music by Erik Satie and danced in it myself with one other partner. It was important for me to perform it myself as I could give myself over artistically to the music and lighting and movement of my partner. I really believe that if a performer feels a deep emotion on stage the audience can feel it within themselves as well. The original production of this piece was performed in Greystones, Ireland and co directed by myself and pianist Dr. Svetlana Rudenko. My husband, who is a computer scientist and experienced lighting designer, programmed a grid of lights over the audience to change color in response to the piano notes as they were played. This simulated the way a synesthete might hear and “see” music as one. It is important for me to utilize technology where appropriate to convey the message in my work.

In the “Mind. Body. Connections.” Performance in San Diego, I also choreographed an entirely new piece called “ScatterBrained” on 8 incredibly talented dancers from various ballet companies in the San Diego area. “ScatterBrained” was a narrated contemporary ballet that had multiple short dances that interpreted different types of synesthesia. Following the performance I had a personal Q & A with the audience and their genuine interest and excitement about synesthesia was very rewarding. Whenever I have a talk back after a performance like this I always have at least one or two audience members come to me and express that they too are a synesthete and didn’t know until they came to my show! I am very proud that I am able, through my artistic practice, to help others to understand themselves better and spread awareness about neurodiversity through dance.

Zoe , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been a professional ballet dancer for over 15 years. I am also an artist, actor and choreographer as well as a dance coach and instructor. I work in all of these fields simultaneously and I am dedicated to my work as an artist and educator. I have a foundation in classical ballet from my training at the San Francisco Ballet School and Academy of Ballet in San Francisco. Throughout my career I have expanded my repertoire to encompass many types of dance.
As an actor I have worked mainly in interactive immersion theater which gives an actor the opportunity to perform scripted material but also improvise and connect with the audience.

What sets me apart from other artists is my versatility and ability to adapt my craft for my clients’ and director’s specific needs.

I accept commissions for choreography from professional companies, independent artists and schools. My expertise ranges widely from classical ballet to contemporary, modern and experimental. I have choreographed on multiple ballet and contemporary companies and schools and my dance films have gained recognition internationally.
I teach at several dance schools around the San Diego area and I always accept new clients for private lessons, in person and on Zoom. In addition I am the San Diego Ballet Education and Outreach Programs Manager and Co Director of the Pre Professional Summer Intensive. I am energized to pass on my years of experience to my students and help them reach their full potential.

I also accept commissions for paintings and artwork and my work has been displayed in several festivals and galleries. I love using color and movement in my visual arts. Blending different shapes and textures to create a wholesome canvas is such a satisfying feeling. I see a lot of similarities between painting or sketching and choreography- in both cases I am creating a picture in time. In choreography and dance that picture could last just a few seconds. In a painting it can last forever.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the incredible and surprising way that art connects people from all walks of life. No matter our differences we all feel pain, joy, hunger, loneliness, hope and fear. Emotions transcend circumstances and background and art can be a universal language that has potential for creating understanding in ways that other forms of communication fall short.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Every once in a while when I tell someone that I am a ballerina they will ask me if I have a “real job” too. It’s important for other professionals to understand that art IS a job- it’s a rigorous and intense job that takes energy, time and experience to master. Artists are undervalued in society and that is a shame especially because everyone so reveres celebrities and popular culture. What would we do without Netflix? Or our favorite singer/ songwriter? What would we do without the designer who created the signs leading us to the bathroom at the airport? What about the architect who designed the airport?
Art is all around us and the creative persons behind so much of what we take for granted are often overlooked. An artist cannot try to find their self worth in other people’s validation. It has to come from within because if an artist doesn’t believe in themselves then no one else will.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @myladyzoe16
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-marinello-kohn-61a814250
• Youtube: Zoe Marinello-Kohn @myladyzoe16

Image Credits

Photo Description: Black and white photo with 3 dancers:
Credit- “ScatterBrained.” rehearsal photo for “Mind. Body Connections.” performance. Choreographer: Marinello-Kohn, Dancers: Marshall Whiteley, Katie Spagnoletti,
Photo Credit: Doug McMinimy

Photo Description: Black and white photo with 2 dancers:
Credit: “ScatterBrained.” rehearsal photo for “Mind. Body Connections.” performance. Choreographer: Marinello-Kohn, Dancer: Phoebe Perry
Photo Credit: Doug McMinimy

Photo Description: Performance Color Photo with 4 dancers:
Credit: “ScatterBrained.” presented in “Mind. Body Connections.” Choreographer: Marinello-Kohn, Dancers: Marshall Whiteley, Katie Spagnoletti, Phoebe Perry, Alexia Norris
Photo Credit: Doug McMinimy

Photo Description: Second Performance Color Photos with 4 dancers:
Credit: “ScatterBrained.” presented in “Mind. Body Connections.” Choreographer: Zoe Marinello-Kohn, Dancers: Marshall Whiteley, Katie Spagnoletti, Phoebe Perry, Alexia Norris.
Photo Credit: Doug McMinimy

Photo Description: Wide photo of the whole stage with dark lighting and two dancers:
Credit: Performance photo of “Verity” by Zoe Marinello- Kohn. Performed at Kenneth Walker Dance Project Balletfest. Dancers: Zoe Marinello- Kohn and Gian Carlo Vargas.
Photo credit: Scott Edwards Photography, @sedwardsphoto

Photo Description: Dancer in the grey leotard jumping:
Credit: Dancer: Zoe Marinello-Kohn. Photo Credit: Doug McMinimy

Photo Description: Dancer in the blue dress:
Credit: Dancer: Zoe Marinello-Kohn. Photo Credit: Gary Payne

Photo Description: Painting:
Credit: Titled: “Relationship Status,” Acrylic on Canvas By: Zoe Marinello-Kohn