Where is the dance field headed next? The dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies on our annual “25 to Watch” list offer heartening, imaginative, exciting possible answers to that question. Whether or not you’re already familiar with these up-and-comers, our editors and contributors from across the dance world predict that we’ll be hearing a lot more from these artists on the verge of a breakout in 2025 and beyond.

My relationship and connection to music is the reason I dance,” says Primo, a 27-year-old dancer and performer who just wrapped up his run as Tumblebrutus in Cats: The Jellicle Ball, at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City. Although he didn’t begin his dance training in earnest until age 14, a childhood immersed in musical theater and church services punctuated with gospel music equipped Primo with a refined sense of musicality.