NYS DanceForce

NYS DanceForce Welcomes
Two New Members

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

Terra Firma Dance Company
Sponsored by DF member Gregory Cary, Tivoli NY (Dutchess County)
Photo by Gregory Cary
Brian Brooks Moving Company
Sponsored by DF member Nancy Long, Utica NY (Oneida County)
Photo by Erin Baiano
Darrell Jones in FEATHERS
Sponsored by DF member Ivan Sygoda, New York NY (New York County)
Rioult Dance in SYMPHONY OF PSALMS
Sponsored by DF member Diana Cherryholmes, Huntington LI (Suffolk County)
Nicolette Depass and Norwood Pennewell of Garth Fagan Dance
Sponsored by DF member Lois Welk, Corning NY (Steuben 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
Stephen Petronio Dance Company
Sponsored by DF member Diana Cherryholmes, Huntington LI (Suffolk County)
Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Kile Hotchkiss of KEIGWIN + COMPANY
Sponsored by DF member Nancy Long, Utica NY (Oneida County)
Photo by Matthew Murphy
Pick of the Crop Dance's BURNING SPIRITS at Buffalo Canalside
Sponsored by DF member Margaret Kaiser, Buffalo NY (Erie County)
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)
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)
Abarukas Contemporary Dance Company at Kaatsbaan
Sponsored by DF member Gregory Cary, Tivoli NY (Dutchess County)
Photo by Gregory Cary
Stefanie Weber
Sponsored by DF member Elena Mosley, Hudson NY (Columbia County)
JoAnna Mendel Shaw
Sponsored by DF member Robin Collen, Potsdam NY (St. Lawrence County)
Photo by Kajsa Lindqvist
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)
Heather Roffe and Courtney World in Daniel Gwirtzman's TOGETHER
Sponsored by DF member Jacquie Davis, Brockport NY (Monroe County)
Photo by Matt Yeoman
Katie Dorn in Pick of the Crop Dance's BURNING SPIRITS at Buffalo Canalside
Sponsored by DF member Margaret Kaiser, Buffalo NY (Erie County)