What’s better than a competition that gives promising choreographers a whole bunch of funding? How about a competition that also puts on a must-see show as part of the process? That’s the genius model of the Capezio A.C.E. Awards. Every year since 2009, the contest has brought upwards of a dozen finalists, selected from a […]

Peter Chu, the amazing dancer/choreographer first noticed in Crystal Pite’s company Kidd Pivot, is teaming up with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for an adventure in immersive installations. Back at the 2010 Dance Teacher Summit, when his piece This Thought exploded across the stage, he rightfully won the Capezio A.C.E. Award Competition for choreography. I was […]

Sometimes, the greatest perks of my job pop up unexpectedly. Like getting to sit next to Desmond Richardson all night, listening to him ooh, ahh and moan over beautiful choreography. We both sat on the judges’ panel for the 2016 Capezio A.C.E. Awards this Saturday, along with Benoit Swan-Pouffer, Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper and Warren […]

The winner: Kirsten Russell’s Islands There was major talent on display last night at the 2015 Capezio A.C.E. Awards here at the Dance Teacher Summit in Long Beach, California. Seventeen choreographers offered up works of contemporary dance, tap, musical theater, hip hop and everything in between for the chance to win up to $15,000 and their own […]