Dance: Dance Companies & Festivals

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation is the umbrella organization that supports the activities of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs and The Ailey Extension.

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation's mission is to further the pioneering work of Alvin Ailey by establishing an extended cultural community which provides dance performances, training and community programs for all people.

Ballet Magnificat! was founded in 1986. Magnificat is Latin for "to magnify Him". It is derived from "Mary's Song" of praise in the 1st Chapter of the the Gospel of Luke when she first learned she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Ballet Magnificat! is an arts organization dedicated to presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world. Our professional touring companies have performed nationally and internationally, ministering to audiences in the United States as well as Czech Republic, Canada, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Singapore, Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, Greece, France, Italy, Macedonia, Kosovo, Israel, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, Switzerland, Korea, Philippines, and China.

Bolshoi Theatre is the national theatre of Russia, the quintessence of the Russian musical tradition and the international center of the music culture. Its goal is to place the classical heritage into the context of changing cultural demand of the Russian society, and to advance and develop the music theatre in Russia.

Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen has lead the company for nearly a decade, cultivating the best talent from around the country and the world, including dancers from over 17 countries. The Company has received critcal acclaim at home and abroad while touring in Spain, South Korea, New York City, among other major cities.

The Company's headquarters in Boston's historical South End neighborhood is one of the largest and best-equipped dance studios in the country.

Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company is the resident performing troupe of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation. Under the artistic direction of Lori Belilove, The Company performs over 80 authentic dances that highlight the unique qualities of Isadora Duncan’s repertoire, from the early lyrical pieces to the tragic solos, all with a purity of style and excellence of movement hailed by the international press. The all-female company is a spirited ensemble of highly trained and educated dancers; moreover, each member has received private coaching from noted Duncan authorities. They are distinguished by their deeply felt connection to the art of Isadora and to Artistic Director Lori Belilove´s interpretive vision and aesthetic sensibility. As a creative team, the troupe delves into new artistic territory as it explores ways to deliver the essence of Duncan into the 21st Century.

Established as a classical company by founder Celia Franca in 1951, it is the only Canadian ballet company to present a full range of traditional full-length classics. The company’s repertoire includes works by Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Cranko, William Forsythe, James Kudelka, Jirí Kylián, John Neumeier, Rudolf Nureyev and Glen Tetley.

One of the most exciting ballet companies in the United States, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has built a legacy of excellence and innovation since its founding in 1969. Its eclectic style and irrepressible energy have been shaped by four distinguished artistic directors over four decades. In the 1980s, former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Patricia Wilde led the Company to new heights and national acclaim with an emphasis on virtuosic technique and works by the modern masters, including her mentor, George Balanchine. Since 1997, the Company has flourished under the direction of Terrence S. Orr, former American Ballet Theatre ballet master and principal dancer. Mr. Orr has created a powerful repertoire, including fresh versions of traditional ballets, original works commissioned to contemporary American music and dramatic works that push the boundaries of ballet as an art form.

Richmond Ballet was founded in 1957,
…by local dance enthusiasts as a performance outlet for students in local dance programs. It existed for more than twenty years as a small, civic company until 1975, when the School of Richmond Ballet was created. In 1978, Richmond Ballet continued its growth with the move to its Lombardy Street location. This acquisition was made possible by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. William Massey Sr. In 1980, Ms. Stoner Winslett became the founding artistic director. She continues to lead and manage the organization 32 years later.
In 1984, Richmond Ballet became the first professional Ballet company in Virginia and was designated the State Ballet of Virginia in 1990, by then Governor Wilder.
In 2000, Richmond Ballet moved into a newly renovated state-of-the-art Facility at 407 East Canal Street in the heart of downtown Richmond. The spectacular building boasts 53,500 square feet and is a generous donation from the Reynolds Metals Company.

Think of the Royal Ballet these days and most probably you'll picture world class dancers leading a totally committed company in a big three act ballet - one of the great 19th century classics, perhaps, or one of Kenneth MacMillan's psychological dramas. If you know the company a little better, maybe you'll remember an evening of shorter works, drawn from its rich and wide repertoire. Either way, when the Royal Ballet is on top form it can deliver an unforgettable experience!

The Sacramento Ballet was founded in 1954 through the efforts and leadership of Barbara and Deane Crockett, who came to the capital of California from the San Francisco bay area. During Ms. Crockett’s tenure as Company Director, The Sacramento Ballet gained national recognition as one of the finest regional arts companies. Through community support, the formation of the Ballet Guild, and grants from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ballet was able to grow and begin to hire a resident company of professional dancers. In 1986, having accomplished her goal of making The Sacramento Ballet a professional company, Ms. Crockett retired as the Company Director.

In 1988 Ron Cunningham was engaged as Artistic Director, and was joined by his wife Carinne Binda the following year. The two became Co-Artistic Directors in 1991, and through their vision and leadership, the company has enjoyed substantial succ

The mission of San Francisco Ballet is to share our joy of dance with the widest possible audience in our community and around the globe and to provide the highest caliber of dance training in our School.
We seek to enhance our position as one of the world’s finest dance companies through our vitality, innovation, and diversity, and through our uncompromising commitment to artistic excellence based in the classical ballet tradition.

The Sarasota Ballet is the Gulf Coast of Florida’s only professional ballet company. In 1987, The Sarasota Ballet was founded by Jean Allenby–Weidner as a presenting organization with the goal of becoming a full resident ballet company, which was achieved in 1990 with the appointment of the first Artistic Director. However it wasn’t until January 2007 that her dream was fully realized, when The Sarasota Ballet announced the appointment of the new Director, Iain Webb. Mr. Webb’s background, experience and close personal relationships with some of the biggest names in dance world have taken The Sarasota Ballet to a higher level of national and international recognition.

From the front lines of dance, Michael Smuin set out in 1994 to build an American ballet company with a distinctly American accent. In his own words, “…to infuse ballet with the rhythm, speed, and syncopation of American popular culture.” Since this charismatic leader’s sudden passing in 2007, Smuin Ballet has continued to thrive, to prosper, to grow. While still following the path carved by Smuin, Artistic and Executive Director Celia Fushille has led the company into striking new territory. She has alloyed her vision with Michael’s to build Smuin into one of Northern California’s leading performing arts organizations.

Texas Ballet Theater brings world-class ballet to North Texas to engage our community, contribute to the cultural knowledge and inspire an appreciation for the art of dance. While educating and training the next generation of outstanding dancers, we encourage creativity, collaboration and expression and seek to create a nationally recognized environment for dancers and choreographers to develop and showcase their talents.
As the only fully professional, classical ballet company of the region, our Company consists of 42 dancers and two ballet academies serving a total of 365 students.

Trisha Brown Dance Company has presented the work of its legendary artistic director for over 40 years. Founded in 1970 when Trisha Brown branched out from the experimental Judson Dance Theater to work with her own group of dancers, TBDC offered its first performances at alternative sites in Manhattan’s SoHo. Today, the Company is regularly seen in the landmark opera houses of New York, Paris, London, and many other theaters around the world.

The story of Tulsa Ballet began in 1956. Husband and wife Roman Jasinski and Moscelyne Larkin, and musician Rosalie Talbott, founded Tulsa Ballet Theatre, blending classical dance with dramatic theatre. Internationally known dancers in the Ballet Russe tradition, Jasinski and Larkin set the tone for artistic excellence –a foundation that has been preserved and built upon for decades.

Originally founded as The Washington School of Ballet in 1944 by legendary ballet pioneer Mary Day, The Washington Ballet (TWB) was incorporated as a professional company in 1976 and is one of the pre-eminent ballet organizations in the United States. TWB has built an international reputation presenting bold works by choreographers from around the world, and with its first artist-in-residence, Choo-San Goh, set the tone for the company's emergence as a powerhouse among national ballet companies. Contemporary pieces by Christopher Wheeldon, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe and Nacho Duato expanded the repertoire, as did Neoclassical masterworks and fresh interpretations of 19th century classics.

Formerly known as American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA)

Heralded as “One of the nation’s most important institutions” (New York Times), the ADF’s sustained record of creative achievement is indivisible from the history of modern dance. Since 1934, the ADF has remained committed to serving the needs of dance, dancers, choreographers, and professionals in dance-related fields.

The Bates Dance Festival brings together an international community of choreographers, performers, educators and students in a cooperative community to study, perform and create new work.

The Canada Dance Festival is committed to outrageous beauty. It presents the best in Canadian contemporary dance – dance that is daring, provocative and highly entertaining. As a leader in the Canadian dance community, we invite all who search for the new, the unexpected, to celebrate the diversity of expression that defines our contemporary dance.

CODA aims to strengthen dance as an art form in Norway. The festival focuses on presenting a variety and diversity within an international and Norwegian contemporary dance arena through a biennale of dance of the highest artistic levels.

Since 1978, Dance Umbrella has been bringing new dance to London.

We thrive on the dynamism and openness of the city and bring together artists and events which surprise and thrill audiences of all kinds. We commission, produce and present dance events and each year stage one of the world’s leading international dance festivals.

Dance Umbrella opens out the dance experience by presenting a range of affordable and free-to-view events in unusual spaces. We also identify, nurture, support and showcase the most exciting talent in new dance, offering artists the benefits of long-term relationships and identifying the most appropriate platform for their work.

The Jazz Dance World Congress is a five-day event celebrating the uniquely American art form of jazz dance. Held in the summer, the Congress gathers dancers, teachers, and performers from across the United States and from as many as 35 foreign countries.

WOMAD - World of Music, Arts and Dance the internationally established Festival, which brings together artists from all over the globe. The central aim of the WOMAD festival is to celebrate the world's many forms of music, arts and dance.