Under the artistic direction of our founders, knee-jerk is an improvisation ensemble bringing together musicians/sounders and dancers/movers to explore and create innovative and experimental performance experiences. This is in2improv's artistic laboratory.
Since January 2015, knee-jerk members have come together for a 2-hour weekly laboratory to explore different ways to create together. The biggest influences in our work (so far) have been Ensemble Thinking, Action Theatre and jazz improvisation. This year we produced two evening-length performances, a series of summer happenings at the downtown farmers market in El Paso and we were invited to perform at the Rubin Center for the Visual Arts’ 10th Anniversary Gala. The most notable of our activities was the November 20th performance fall/fallen/falling -  an evening-len_gth performance in collaboration with artists featured in the Matters of Gravity installation at the Rubin Center for the Visual Arts in El Paso. It was an incredible success, with more than 150 audience members in attendance. To learn more about our process you can hear this radio interview at the local NPR station and read this article in the local publication What’s Up.

Yesterday, our co-founders received this beautiful restored 1945 Steinway D grand piano. It was a personal donation to them for the continuous support of their artistic development and growth and in turn, be able to give with the best quality possible back to the community. Stay tuned for the months to come as we design programs that will make this piano accessible to underserved populations. We feel blessed and grateful beyond belief!

Anuja Singhal is a Realtor, a Yoga teacher, & a Math tutor. She loves kids and has volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. One of her kids' played drums as a small child. After he switched to band, the drum-set needed a new home. Anuja & her son are proud to be the first donors to the Instruments For Peace Initiative.  Anuja lives in El Paso with her husband who is a University Professor.

As this year comes to an end we wanted to share with you a few of the highlights that 2014 brought to us. Thank you for believing in us and congratulations, as our success belongs to you too!

Highlights of 2014:

March: We spent a week in Juarez, Mexico giving workshops to college students, community members, organizers and educators. Watch a short video of our experience!
July: Our second international performance took place in a restaurant/gallery space in downtown Bogota. We performed along side colleagues and friends Rebecca Bryant and Don Nichols. Watch a video of the performance here!
September: Presented our co-authored paper “Improvising New Realities: Movement, Sound and Social Therapeutics” at the Guelph Jazz Festival and Colloquium in Canada.
October: Taught and performed at the annual Texas Dance Improvisation Festival (TDIF) in Huntsville, TX.
October: Taught two workshops at the international conference Performing the World (PTW) in New York City.