NYS DanceForce

2025 NYS CHOREOGRAPHERS INITIATIVE AWARDEES ANNOUNCED

2024 recipient Sondra Loring (L) with Mentor, Ann Carlson (R)

The application portal for NYSCI 2026 opens August 15, 2025; the application deadline is December 3, 2025. It’s never too early to start thinking about a mentor. We are available for consultations. Email: choreoinitiative@danceforce.org

NYS DanceForce Project Gallery

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
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
Brian Brooks Moving Company
Sponsored by DF member Nancy Long, Utica NY (Oneida County)
Photo by Erin Baiano
Andy de Groat's FAN DANCE (1978)
Sponsored by DF member Judy Hussie-Taylor, New York NY (New York County)
Terra Firma Dance Company
Sponsored by DF member Gregory Cary, Tivoli NY (Dutchess County)
Photo by Gregory Cary
JoAnna Mendel Shaw
Sponsored by DF member Robin Collen, Potsdam NY (St. Lawrence County)
Photo by Kajsa Lindqvist
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
Katie Dorn in Pick of the Crop Dance's BURNING SPIRITS at Buffalo Canalside
Sponsored by DF member Margaret Kaiser, Buffalo NY (Erie County)
Darrell Jones in FEATHERS
Sponsored by DF member Ivan Sygoda, New York NY (New York 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
Stefanie Weber
Sponsored by DF member Elena Mosley, Hudson NY (Columbia County)
Stephen Petronio Dance Company
Sponsored by DF member Diana Cherryholmes, Huntington LI (Suffolk County)
Photo by Julieta Cervantes
Nicolette Depass and Norwood Pennewell of Garth Fagan Dance
Sponsored by DF member Lois Welk, Corning NY (Steuben 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)
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)
Rebeca Tomas
Sponsored by DF member Cynthia Williams, Geneva NY (Ontario County)