Dance Magazine

Yuan Yuan Tan stands flat footed, arching back so her spine is nearly level with the ground as she stares at her upraised hands, ash falling onto and around her. Her dark hair is loose and falls behind her; she wears a white dress that drapes to the dark stage and matching white pointe shoes.

News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in January 2024

Here are the latest promotions, appointments, departures, awards, and accomplishments from January 2024, plus new or newly available funding opportunities for dance artists and organizations.

Courtney Escoyne February 2nd, 2024

Browne, wearing a black gown with dramatic white and black ruffles at the shoulders, stands in a ballroom, smiling softly at the photographer.

Remembering Pioneering Ballerina Delores Browne, 1935–2023

Ballerina and teacher Delores Browne Abelson, known professionally as Delores Browne, transitioned on October 2, 2023.

Joselli Deans November 13th, 2023

Hope Boykin, a petite, curvy Black woman with a shaved head, gives the camera a mischievous, close-mouthed smile. Her palms are pressed together with her fingertips resting against her lips; her elbows are propped on her knees as she leans forward where she sits, arches popping against the floor. She wars white trousers and a denim button-down with the sleeves rolled to her elbows.

First As a Performer and Now As a Choreographer, Hope Boykin Has Nurtured Her Unique Voice

Watching Hope Boykin dance is like watching a musical score come to life: Her speed, her clarity, and her innate understanding of music have captivated audiences for more than three decades. But that outwardly spectacular performer has always nurtured her inner voice, too. In her post-performance life, Boykin has begun to share that voice through choreography, spoken word, and writing.

Courtney Celeste Spears September 19th, 2023

Clusters of dancers appears on a stage awash in red, their faces falling into shadow. A trio at the center stands leaning into one hip, while encircling them are other dancers on one knee, facing front, their arms curving up from their shoulders.

Watch President Biden Present the National Medal of Arts to the International Association of Blacks in Dance

The International Association of Blacks in Dance is being honored with the United States government’s highest arts award.

Chava Pearl Lansky March 21st, 2023

Rennie Harris sits in a director's chair in front of a purple background wearing a colorful t-shirt and jeans

Rennie Harris Bridges the Past and Future

Fusing street-dance movement vocabulary with original music and writing, Rennie Harris has developed narrative-driven pieces exploring racism, sexism and other cultural issues.

Kristi Yeung November 16th, 2022

News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in October 2020

Here are the latest promotions, appointments and departures, plus notable awards and accomplishments, from the last month. Comings & Goings Kim Y. Bears-Bailey has been named artistic director of Philadanco. Founder Joan Myers Brown is now artistic advisor; Janine Beckles assistant artistic director; Donald T. Lunsford II artistic director of D/2. Wayne McGregor has been […]

Courtney Escoyne November 1st, 2020

News of Note: What You May Have Missed in August 2019

Here are the latest promotions, appointments and transfers, plus notable awards and accomplishments from the last month. Comings & Goings At The Royal Ballet, Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Luca Acri have been promoted to first soloist, Romany Pajdak, Isabella Gasparini, Tomas Mock and David Yudes to soloist. Gary Avis and Samantha Raine have been appointed […]

Courtney Escoyne August 31st, 2019

Why Philadelphia Was an Early Hub For Black Ballerinas

When we’re talking about the history of black dancers in ballet, three names typically pop up: Raven Wilkinson at Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Janet Collins at New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Arthur Mitchell at New York City Ballet. But in the 1930s through 50s, there was a largely overlooked hot spot for black ballet […]

Jennifer Heimlich October 22nd, 2017