Year: 2025-2026
DanceForce Member: Missy Pfohl Smith
Artist: Ephrat Asherie
Community Partners: Hochstein School of Music & Dance; University of Rochester Program of Dance & Movement
Audience: 320
County: Monroe

Ephrat Asherie Dance (EAD) brought Asherie’s new collaborative work “Shadow Cities” to Rochester, a work created with Grammy award-winning jazz musician Arturo O’Farrill. The production combines Ephrat Asherie’s dynamic choreography, which blends street and club dance styles, with O’Farrill’s Latin jazz compositions. “Shadow Cities” explores the concept of being “in-between”—straddling cultures, generations, and identities—and examines the complexity of living in a fragmented, yet fully embodied state. The company presented a public performance on Feb. 6, 2026, followed by a Q and A. Additionally, Ephrat taught two House dance workshops on the University of Rochester (UR) campus, and a Breaking workshop for the community at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance (a local organization whose mission is to provide people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities with access to music and dance education). The workshops were free and open to the public, with the performance offered at no cost to students.

This residency was particularly exciting due to its deep engagement with the local community and the rigor of its artistic practice. “Shadow Cities” presented a thoughtful exploration of how we navigate cultural, temporal, and spatial boundaries. EAD’s choreography—both explosive and malleable—embodied this fluidity, offering audiences a powerful reflection on identity and belonging. This first-time collaboration with the Hochstein School and UR marks a significant milestone in Rochester’s growing dance community. Ephrat taught a community breaking class at Hochstein, attended by multi-generational dancers from age 7 to 60, and Ephrat was fantastic. She shared the roots of the form with enthusiasm, and supported the dancers of all ages and levels with such a positive approach. EAD’s visit coincided with URochester Program of Dance and Movement’s 14th annual international inspireJAM all-styles battle by design, an event that celebrates hip-hop culture in Western New York. Ephrat served as one of three judges alongside LaTasha Barnes and local Krump artist Elton Ward. She also performed a solo judge’s showcase. To have both Ephrat and LaTasha, two powerful women, judging an event like this in a dance form dominated by male dancers was significant. We also had three women competing, which was likely the result of the judge panel!

This residency also enriched Rochester’s hip-hop community, offering a bridge between street/club dance and concert dance, and clarifying the differences between commercialized and authentic hip-hop. With affordable ticket prices and free access for students, and workshops that were free to all, the project ensured accessibility and broad community engagement, creating new and relevant opportunities for connection through dance.