Mentorship amongst choreographers is nothing new: Jose Limón had Doris Humphrey, and Alvin Ailey had Lester Horton. But in a career where there is often scarce training (most college programs still primarily train dancers, not choreographers, for instance) and that can be competitive and isolating, mentorship opportunities that are formalized rather than happenstance are becoming increasingly needed.

Throughout his career, choreographer d. Sabela grimes has relied on a number of different mentors. One provided the connection for his move to South Africa. Another planted the seed for creating concert dance, and yet another helped him develop a deeper understanding of dance outside of movement practice. “When I think of this word ‘mentor,’ […]

Throughout my ballet training, I never felt isolated or different. I trained in the School of Richmond Ballet where the focus of my teachers included straightening my knees and not sickling my feet, and never landed on my being from a mixed race background. As I rose through the ranks of the school, the emphasis […]