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DANCE NEWS: CUNY Dance Initiative Announces Fall 2024 Master Classes and Workshops
As part of its residency program for NYC choreographers, the CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) sponsors classes, workshops, and guest lectures for CUNY students at partner colleges across New York City.
“CDI has been an incredible resource for us, exposing our students to a rich array of NYC artists and dance forms,” comments Aviva Geismar, director of the dance program at Queensborough Community College. “Our students have had transformational experiences taking master classes in dance styles that we are not able to offer as part of our curriculum. These experiences boost student confidence and have even led to ongoing professional relationships between the students and working artists.”
From July 2024 to June 2025, CDI has awarded residencies to 24 choreographers at 13 CUNY colleges, and most artists will lead at least one master class or workshop during their time on campus.
Upcoming November instructors and classes include: Sekou McMiller, Camryn Stafford, Nelida Tirado, Professional Development Talk with Julia Bengtsson & Austin Coates.
Past Fall 2024 educators include: Nicole von Arx, Quilan “Cue” Arnold, André Zachary / Renegade Performance Group.
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In 2024, CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) marks a decade of supporting the NYC dance field by connecting artists with CUNY communities. The program was developed in response to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s 2010 report, “We Make Do,” which cited how destabilizing the shortage of affordable rehearsal space in New York City is to the dance sector. A successful pilot supporting residencies on four CUNY campuses in 2013 led to CDI’s formal launch in 2014. Since then, CDI has become a key player in New York City’s performing arts ecosystem, leading a consortium of 13 CUNY colleges and three arts organizations to host 20+ residencies for NYC choreographers and dance companies each year. In the past 10 years, CDI has granted 247 residencies to emerging and established choreographers, providing invaluable resources to artists, while enhancing CUNY students’ education and cultural experiences.
From July 2024 to June 2025, CDI is underwriting residencies for 24 early- to mid-career choreographers. These dynamic NYC-based artists, selected from an open call that drew 245 applicants, work in a wide range of dance styles and forms, from ballet to musical theater to flamenco to contemporary and culturally specific traditions. In addition to providing space and financial support for the development of new and existing projects, all residencies include master classes, guest lectures, or open rehearsals to directly connect artists with CUNY communities.
