NYS DanceForce | A network of dance activists working to increase the quality and quantity of dance throughout upstate New York.

NYS DanceForce | A network of dance activists working to increase the quality and quantity of dance throughout upstate New York.
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NYS DanceForce Welcomes
Two New Members
Neva Cockrell
Gregory Hallock
2026 NYS Choreographers Initiative
(NYSCI) Awardees
2025 NYSCI recipient Huiwang Zhang with Mentor Jamie Guan
The application deadline for 2026 ended
December 3, 2025,
but it’s never too early to start thinking about a mentor for 2027. We are available for consultations.  Email:
choreoinitiative@danceforce.org.
2026 guidelines are available
here
NYS DanceForce Project Gallery
JoAnna Mendel Shaw
Sponsored by DF member Robin Collen, Potsdam NY (St. Lawrence County)
Photo by Kajsa Lindqvist
Bill Evans performing with local jazz musician Duvid Smering at 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning NY
Sponsored by DF member Lois Welk, Corning NY (Steuben County)
Darrell Jones in FEATHERS
Sponsored by DF member Ivan Sygoda, New York NY (New York County)
Brian Brooks & Wendy Whelan in FIRST FALL by Brian Brooks
Sponsored by DF member D. Chase Angier, Alfred NY (Allegany County)
Photo by Christopher Duggan
Heather Roffe and Courtney World in Daniel Gwirtzman's TOGETHER
Sponsored by DF member Jacquie Davis, Brockport NY (Monroe County)
Photo by Matt Yeoman
Brian Brooks Moving Company
Sponsored by DF member Nancy Long, Utica NY (Oneida County)
Photo by Erin Baiano
Rioult Dance in SYMPHONY OF PSALMS
Sponsored by DF member Diana Cherryholmes, Huntington LI (Suffolk County)
Kile Hotchkiss of KEIGWIN + COMPANY
Sponsored by DF member Nancy Long, Utica NY (Oneida County)
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Andy de Groat's FAN DANCE (1978)
Sponsored by DF member Judy Hussie-Taylor, New York NY (New York County)
Rebeca Tomas
Sponsored by DF member Cynthia Williams, Geneva NY (Ontario County)
Katie Dorn in Pick of the Crop Dance's BURNING SPIRITS at Buffalo Canalside
Sponsored by DF member Margaret Kaiser, Buffalo NY (Erie County)
Mai Lê Hô, Lauryane Ogay, and Tatiana Desardouin at Pregones Theater, Bronx, January 6, 2017
Sponsored by DF member Diana Cherryholmes, Hauppage LI (Suffolk County)
Nicolette Depass and Norwood Pennewell of Garth Fagan Dance
Sponsored by DF member Lois Welk, Corning NY (Steuben County)
Pick of the Crop Dance's BURNING SPIRITS at Buffalo Canalside
Sponsored by DF member Margaret Kaiser, Buffalo NY (Erie County)
Abarukas Contemporary Dance Company at Kaatsbaan
Sponsored by DF member Gregory Cary, Tivoli NY (Dutchess County)
Photo by Gregory Cary
Terra Firma Dance Company
Sponsored by DF member Gregory Cary, Tivoli NY (Dutchess County)
Photo by Gregory Cary
Stephen Petronio Dance Company
Sponsored by DF member Diana Cherryholmes, Huntington LI (Suffolk County)
Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Stefanie Weber
Sponsored by DF member Elena Mosley, Hudson NY (Columbia County)
(click on photos for project details)
FACEBOOK FEED
NYS DanceForce
4 weeks 1 day ago
World renowned Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana will be heating things up in Elmira on April 12. 🌹 Get your ticket now! Not only will you see a remarkable program, you will be supporting the critical work of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. @flamencovivo believes that the universal spirit
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NYS DanceForce
1 month 1 week ago
Photos from Arts Center Lake Placid's post
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NYS DanceForce
is with New York State Council on the Arts.
1 month 2 weeks ago
📣 NYS DANCEFORCE WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS! The New York State DanceForce Member Search Committee has just concluded a five-month-long statewide search. We are proud to announce our two new members: Neva Cockrell (she/her) is a professional dancer, director, and educator. She is the co-founder and co-director of WildHeart: Center
21
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NYS DanceForce
2 months 3 days ago
We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the journey of this program. Creative Director Teresa Fellion will be participating in the 2026 NYS Choreographer Initiative. She will be working with artistic mentor Seán Curran. Teresa will be representing the Central NY/Capital District/No. Country region alongside Maya June Dwyer, Liv
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NYS DanceForce
2 months 6 days ago
Call for Proposals for the Somatic Dance Conference & Performance Festival, June 18-21, 2026 in Geneva, NY. Join key note presenters Bill Evans and Dr. Martha Eddy and dance educators, somatic practitioners, choreographers and performers. Details below on poster
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NYS DanceForce
2 months 1 week ago
NYS DANCEFORCE ANNOUNCES AWARDEES NYS CHOREOGRAPHERS INITIATIVE 2026 Twelve upstate New York-based choreographers have been selected for the NYS Choreographers Initiative 2026 (NYSCI), a funding opportunity administered by NYS DanceForce and supported by the New York State Council on the Arts The NYS Choreographers Initiative is designed to help choreographers
42
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NYS DanceForce
2 months 2 weeks ago
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NYS DanceForce
2 months 2 weeks ago
Ready to move, sweat, and try something bold? Join us TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 4 from 6:00–7:30 pm in Hochstein Dance Studio 2 for a FREE Break Dancing Workshop with internationally acclaimed guest artist Ephrat Asherie (aka b-girl Bounce)! This open-level, all-ages workshop is your chance to dive into the roots
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NYS DanceForce
2 months 3 weeks ago
Tickets live for inspireJAM! Early bird rate for battle registration now thru 2/1! 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗝𝗔𝗠 𝟮𝘃𝟮 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 Feb 7, 2026 | Sloan Performing Arts Center Tickets & info: events.rochester.edu/event/inspirejam-2026 All styles welcome: 2v2 format 1st Place Prize: $350 w/ special Judges: Ephrat "Bounce" Asherie, LaTasha Barnes, VIL w/
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NYS DanceForce
3 months 1 day ago
This is going to be fantastic! Use the QR code on the poster below to reserve your tickets. Saturday, Jan. 24th 7:30 p.m. Deming Dance Theatre Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, Geneva, NY
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NYS DanceForce
3 months 1 week ago
Opportunity! Visiting Assistant Professor at HWS Colleges, Geneva NY
Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance and Movement Studies - HigherEdJobs
Jobs in higher education. Faculty and administrative positions at colleges and universities. Updated daily. Free to job seekers.
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NYS DanceForce
3 months 1 week ago
Doug Varone and Dancers January 24, 2026 at HWS Colleges, Geneva, NY
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NYS DanceForce
3 months 2 weeks ago
ANNOUNCING WINTER/SPRING PERFORMING ARTS! On Saturday, March 21 at 5 pm, experience a lecture/performance both intricate and exuberant with Barkha Patel. Step into an immersive journey and unveil the rich mechanics and soulful narratives of Kathak, a classical Indian dance form. LEARN MORE ➜ lakeplacidarts.org/event/barkhadance $12 TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY,
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NYS DanceForce
4 months 4 days ago
2025 NYS Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI) recipient, Danielle Russo, with mentor, Alexandra Wells, in session with dancer Kayla Farrish. NYSCI is a program of the NYS DanceForce in partnership with @nyscouncilonthearts. 📣 Established in 2018, the NYS Choreographers Initiative (NYSCI) is designed to support dance artists in the development of their
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NYS DanceForce
4 months 3 weeks ago
Photos from Edisa Weeks's post
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A network of dance activists working to increase the quality and quantity of dance throughout upstate New York.
NYS DanceForce programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
PROJECTS BY YEAR
PROJECTS BY MEMBER
SPECIAL INITIATIVES