Biography

Carolyn Pampalone Rabbers is an instructional assistant professor of dance at Texas A&M University and the founder and executive artistic director of CPR Dance: Inhale Movement. A distinguished dance artist, choreographer and scholar, she is one of a select group of global educators certified in Countertechnique, created by Anouk van Dijk. This elite movement system anchors her progressive pedagogical approach at Texas A&M, where she teaches contemporary technique, improvisation and choreography.

Her extensive pedagogical credentials include certification as an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) certified affiliate teacher (pre-primary through Level VII and partnering); alongside certifications in Graham technique (Levels 3, 4 and 5), Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), Progressing Contemporary Technique (PCT), Pilates, yoga and reiki.

At the vanguard of physical pedagogy and emerging media, Rabbers’ creative research and scholarship command a global profile. Working alongside Academy- and Emmy Award-winning director Brandon Oldenburg and Emmy-winning director Limbert Fabian, she collaborated with Texas A&M’s Virtual Production Institute to choreograph “Chase Your Dreams,” a pioneering project utilizing cutting-edge virtual production and digital performance technology, as well as “THAW,” an interarts production. Her international choreographic practice has been supported by prestigious global residencies, including the Res Arts Atelier in France, and her research on integrity-centered pedagogy and the ethical implications of generative AI in dance has positioned her as a leading academic voice at national conferences and digital learning expos.

On the stage and screen, Rabbers’ versatile performance career spans major cultural hubs and massive commercial audiences. She has performed for Coldplay, Omi, Starbucks and Royal Caribbean, and starred as Abby in the 2020 feature film “Moondance.” Her concert dance credits include performing nationally and internationally with premier contemporary companies including the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC), Diavolo Education Company (EdCo), Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, Marianna Olivera, Clairobscur, Nickerson-Rossi Dance and Vox Lumiere. She has performed in works by notable choreographers including Cori Terry, Erik Hawkins, Yvonne Rainer, Loïe Fuller, Gerald Arpino, Antony Tudor, Randy Duncan, Laurie Eisenhower and John Lehrer.

Dedicated to professional service and mentorship, Rabbers serves as a national adjudicator for CRU Dance and has taught for community-focused organizations including the Gabriella Foundation in Los Angeles. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts; a Bachelor of Fine Arts as the Presidential Scholar from Western Michigan University; and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M, she taught on the dance faculties of Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.