Robert Kleinendorst received his B.A. in Dance from Luther College in 1995. Immediately upon graduation, Robert moved to New York City to pursue a dance career. Robert attended daily classes at the Paul Taylor Dance Company while dancing for Anna Sokolow’s Players’ Project, Gail Gilbert Dance Ensemble, and Cortez and Co. In 1998, Robert was asked to join Paul Taylor’s second company, Taylor 2. Robert was then asked to join Taylor’s main company in 2000 in which he danced until his retirement in 2019. In his 21 years with Paul Taylor, Robert danced 98 roles in 77 of Taylor’s dances and originated 28 roles with Taylor. He also originated roles with choreographers Larry Keigwin, Doug Varone, Lila York, Doug Elkins, Bryan Arias, Pam Tanowitz, Margie Gillis, and Kyle Abraham. In addition to his performing career, Robert taught master classes domestically and abroad as well as teaching at the Taylor School in New York. Robert also took on the responsibilities of assistant rehearsal directing and administrating all of Taylor’s company auditions. Robert received his MFA in Dance from George Mason University in 2021. He spent the following year as the coordinator of the dance department and director of the dance company at Anne Arundel Community College. Robert is currently on faculty as an assistant professor of dance at Towson University.

Robert started his love for the arts in music and theatre. He was a vocal major at Luther College with the intent to have a career in musical theatre when he began taking dance classes and immediately fell in love. He finished his vocal major as well as adding a dance major with the intent of pursuing a career in concert dance. Throughout the years Robert’s love for music and theatre has never diminished. He was greatly utilized in character roles during his career with Paul Taylor and acting, imagination, and performance are key elements in his teaching and choreography. Robert has continued his love of music by singing and playing guitar and for a glorious three years, he was in a band that performed throughout New York City. Robert was also the company liaison for all live orchestras with Paul Taylor and he often creates and records his own music for choreography and class. 

Robert has been married to another former Paul Taylor star, Amy Young (now Amy Kleinendorst) for 14 years and he has two incredible children with her, a daughter named Sadie who is 12 years old, and a son named Axel who is 9.