Kenneth Kvarnström was born in Karis, Finland in 1963 and studied at The University College of Dance, Stockholm before embarking on professional ballet training.
In 1987 he formed K. Kvarnström & Co which has since toured to most European countries but also in Africa, Israel, Japan, Latin America and the United States.
Additionally he has created new work for Cullberg Ballet, Gothenburg Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Skånes Dansteater and Sydney Dance Company. Kvarnström was Artistic Director of the Helsinki City Theatre Dance Company in 1996-97 and Artistic and General Director of Stockholm’s Dansen Hus between 2004 and 2007.
In September 2008 he was appointed Professor of the Arts by the Finnish government and in 2010 became House Choreographer at Helsinki Dance Company.
Kvarnström has become one of the mainstays of contemporary dance in the Nordic countries. His versatility is evident in a style of dance that can be described as powerful, dynamic and physically demanding but also soft, sensual and sometimes humorous, with strong imagery and themes. He tends to work in close collaboration with lighting, set and costume designers as well as composers.
