BODYART Rehearsal48 by Mathew Murphy

QCA Announces 2011-2012 Leap Dance Project artists

This year’s Leap Dance participants represent the best of what’s happening for dance in Queens right now. From established artists to emerging choreographers, Leap features a diverse range of individuals making work on an variety of topics, all rooted in their experience as Queens residents. Through the Leap program these artists will have increased access to local resources, learn new ways to produce and promote their work, and continue to build the dance community in Queens.

Emily Berry- Choreographer, Artistic Director b3w (beyond third wave)
Sarah Council- Choreographer, Artistic Director Sarah Council Dance Projects
Gabriel Forestieri- Choreographer, Director Project Limb
Leanne M. G-Bowley- Artistic Director In-Sight Dance Company
Barbara Mahler- Independent Choreographer
Jessi Patz- Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Ground Grippers Dance Company
Katherine Richardson- Choreographer, Artistic Director, Kerplunk Dance
Leslie Scott- Founder and Artistic Director, BODYART Dance
Deb Silver- Choreographer, Founder and Artistic Director, SilCo Dance
Shauna Sorenson- Independent Choreographer

About

The Leap Dance Project is a professional development program designed to support individual dance artists and foster a community of dance professionals in Queens. Created by QCA in partnership with LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, this nine month program features professional development workshops with experts in the field; peer leadership circles to promote the exchange of information, resources and ideas; admission to local performances; rehearsal space, and a performance opportunity in conjunction with the Queens Art Express that is free and open to the public.

Interested in learning more about how to get involved in this exciting program? Contact Leap Dance Project Program Manager Zoe Rabinowitz for more information.

Check out footage from last year’s Leap Dance Project Showcase Performance that took place at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center on June 17th, 2011:

Coming from a range of dance backgrounds and traditions and spanning the spectrum of age, gender and experience, last year’s Leap artists were as diverse as the borough of Queens itself. 2010/2011 Leap Dance Project participants include:

Jocelyn Alter (Jostle Dance) www.jostlejostle.org
Mariana Bekerman (Mariana Bekerman Dance Company) www.mbdancecompany.com
Alberto Denis (Queens Academy of Arts and Dance) www.quaad.org
Dina Denis (Dance into Light, Inc) www.dinadenisdance.org
Kiyoko Kashiwagi (Anime Dance Theatre) kiyokokashiwagi.blogspot.com
Malini Srinivasan www.malinisrinivasan.com

Last year’s 2010/2011 professional development panelists featured:
Jennifer Wright-Cook (The Field), Jeanne DeVine, Esq., Valerie Green (Green Space, Dance Entropy), Emily Grey (Fractured Atlas), Salvatore LaRussa (Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre), Steven Hitt (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center), Hoong-Yee Lee Krakauer (QCA), Amy Harrison (Rioult), Harold Norris (H-Art Management), Doug Post (Pentacle), Paz Tanjuaquio (Topaz Arts), Catherine Tharin (92Y)