Kyle Champion
Dancer
While Kyle Champion’s face may be familiar to symphony patrons, you probably aren’t used to seeing him without a cello between his knees. Kyle has been a member of the Redlands Symphony Orchestra since 1988 and has served as principal cellist since 1995. But now, Kyle is trading in his cello for a pair of dancing shoes as one of the local “celebrities” in this year’s Dancing with the Stars showcase.
“My wife and I have always liked to dance,” says Kyle about his new role as a dancer, “And the Gala will give me a chance to get back to something I really enjoy and raise money for our wonderful orchestra, something I am very passionate about.”
Kyle has also been principal cellist with the Riverside County Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of Oklahoma City. He is a member of the Long Beach Symphony and regularly performs with numerous area orchestras, including Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Opera and the San Bernardino Symphony. He rounds out his performance schedule in recording studios and by playing chamber music recitals with the cello quartet Quatracelli.
Kyle is an Artist Teacher of Cello at the University of Redlands and has served on the faculties of La Sierra University, Cal Poly Pomona, Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma Baptist University. He was appointed Director of the University of Redlands String Project in Fall 2011.
Besides performing and teaching music, Kyle unwinds by reading about trains and military and American West history, and he loves to travel with his wife, Elizabeth. The Champions have two sons and a newborn grandson.