Jiva Dance
Jiva Dance, founded in 2007 and under the artistic direction of Sonali Skandan, is a visionary and critically acclaimed dance company based in NYC. The Company strives to present work that is inclusive, universal and challenging. Jiva Dance explores the intersections of classicism, modernity and experimentalism. The Company has presented five original evening-length dance productions and has toured their work nationally and internationally. Jiva Dance has presented work in major venues in the US, becoming the first Indian Classical dance company to be presented at the prestigious Victory Dance Series at the New Victory Theater, the first Indian Classical company to be part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (2017 and 2018) at Queens College. Jiva Dance was also featured on NBC Learn, in a short documentary titled “Why We Dance.” Jiva Dance’s first dance film short, ‘Urban Nritta,’ has received much attention, and was an official selection in the 17th NY Indian Film Festival. Jiva’s work has been supported by the NEA, the New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Dance/NYC and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, among others.
Website: www.jivaperformingarts.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jivaperformingarts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jivaarts/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JivaPerformingArts
Brooklyn Ballet
Brooklyn Ballet uniquely blends ballet and street dance through dynamic collaboration. At the core of Brooklyn Ballet’s mission is the creation of new ballets that challenge conventions and defy expectations.
Guided by Artistic Director Lynn Parkerson, their repertory embraces a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural approach. Brooklyn Ballet’s dances are born from collaborations with musicians, writers, designers, hackers, visual artists, and their Brooklyn neighbors. This interdisciplinary influence allows them to extend ballet in unique directions while staying rooted in classical traditions.
Brooklyn Ballet’s community outreach programs are mutually enriching and deeply inform their artistic work. Their engagement with street dancing and non-traditional performance settings transforms their approach to classical ballet. By incorporating improvisational structures and unorthodox musical scores, they add rich, enticing layers to their expressive range.
Ms. Parkerson’s aesthetic emphasizes the juxtaposition of styles, cultures, and dance forms. The company’s commitment to bridging cultural and class divides shapes the tone and composition of their ballets, as well as their education and community programs. This philosophy informs every aspect of Brooklyn Ballet’s work, making them a unique and vital part of the dance community.
Website: https://www.brooklynballet.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooklynballet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooklynballet/