"Compelling" - "Imaginative" - "A Pure Delight"
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Hailed as "compelling," "imaginative," and "pure delight" by both critics and reviewers, Neville Dance Theatre, a non-profit Manhattan based dance company, excels in bringing diverse dance elements together to create theatrical, innovative works that are a colorful tapestry of movement which explore our shared world and the vastness of the human spirit. Through contemporary creations to full length ballets our vibrant company enlists the limitlessness of dance as a means of international expression and communication celebrating the similarities and differences of diverse cultures from around the world. Founded in 2005 by Brenda R. Neville, the Manhattan-based company of 6-12 dancers and guests perform New York City seasons, concerts, festival performances, and touring engagements for audiences of all ages and ethnicities. Founded as a means of opening cross-cultural dialogues between differing dance genres and nationalities, Neville Dance Theatre fosters an artistic exchange of styles, outlooks, and attitudes, instilling an appreciation for the beauty, value, and significance of dance as a living art form for today and generations to come. Neville Dance Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt organization. |
Founder and Artistic Director
Brenda R. Neville
Brenda R. Neville
For over two decades, Brenda R. Neville performed in over 18 different countries including Argentina, China, Hungary, Japan, Romania and Spain with companies such as the Milwaukee Ballet, Indianapolis Dance Company, AllNations Dance Company, Marc DeGarmo & Dancers and Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn. An extremely versatile singer and actress as well, she trained at the Lee Strasburg Actor’s Studio in NYC and performed lead roles in numerous, regional musical productions such as “Footloose”, “My Fair Lady”, “La Cage aux Folles”, and “Crazy for You”. She has appeared in several film and commercial roles, including Radius Square Times Heart, which won Best Comedy short film at the Manhattan Film Festival and Audience Award at the New York Japan Cinefest, and in Episode 3 of the Ron Howard docuseries about the School of American Ballet 'OnPointe'. She trained and performed with a wide roster of renown artists including Juan Carlos Copes, Antonio Cervila Jr., Jose Molina, Soledad Barrio, Magdalena, Sean Curran, Elizabeth Parkinson, Niall O’Leary, Marjorie Mussman, Graciela Kozak and Diana Cartier and at schools including The Ailey School, American Ballet Theatre, the Milwaukee Ballet School, Miami City Ballet School, and Peridance.
An active dance teacher, Brenda's teaching credits include Junior Division ballet at The Ailey School, Advanced Ballet and Pointe at Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, open Flamenco and Argentine Tango classes at Steps on Broadway, and guest teaching workshops and intensives at various studios and schools around the country. Her students have been accepted into some of the most prestigious and reputable dance programs, colleges, and companies in the country, including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, The Ailey School, Point Park College, and on Broadway.
Brenda led the US Retail Department & NYC Boutique for Freed of London for over 13 years, gaining a nationally renown reputation as one of the countries leading, expert ballet pointe shoe fitters, and aided in the development and launch of the Gaynor Minden pointe shoe. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Neville Dance Theatre and an original co-founder of World Dance Theatre. She is a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she received a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy, cum laude and is an ABT Certified Teacher, having successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary - Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
An active dance teacher, Brenda's teaching credits include Junior Division ballet at The Ailey School, Advanced Ballet and Pointe at Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, open Flamenco and Argentine Tango classes at Steps on Broadway, and guest teaching workshops and intensives at various studios and schools around the country. Her students have been accepted into some of the most prestigious and reputable dance programs, colleges, and companies in the country, including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, The Ailey School, Point Park College, and on Broadway.
Brenda led the US Retail Department & NYC Boutique for Freed of London for over 13 years, gaining a nationally renown reputation as one of the countries leading, expert ballet pointe shoe fitters, and aided in the development and launch of the Gaynor Minden pointe shoe. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Neville Dance Theatre and an original co-founder of World Dance Theatre. She is a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she received a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy, cum laude and is an ABT Certified Teacher, having successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary - Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
COMPANY ARTISTS
GUEST ARTISTS
ACTIVE ALUMNI ARTISTS
ARTISTIC & ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS
Chance-to-Choreograph Program Selectees
Our Chance-to-Choreograph program offers selected choreographers the opportunity to work with our company dancers, create new works, and have them presented during one of our season or bookings.
For inquires or consideration email us at dance@nevilledance.org
For inquires or consideration email us at dance@nevilledance.org
StaffBrenda R. Neville
Founder, Director, Choreographer Israel Harris Social Media Coordinators John Raffles Durbin Karen Lacy Repertoire Coaches Benjamin Briones Angela Friedman Costume Designers |
Board of DirectorsSusie Ellis Chair/President Brenda R. Neville Co-Chair Brandon Cotton Treasurer Karen Lacy Secretary Past InternsAlexis 'Lexi' Arthur
Administration & Assistant to the Artistic Director Jasmine Duru Promotions & Production |
Advisory BoardLori Phillips Baylon
Opera Singer Entertainment Professional Judith Bradshaw Actress and Director Brandon Cotton Graphics Manager, Bank of America Susie Ellis Freelance Photographer Jet Kaehn Executive Assistant and Musician Karen Lacy Performer, Choreographer Teaching Artist - ABT Senior Fitter - Gaynor Minden Greg Miller Executive Director - Dance Parade NYC |
Honorary Advisory BoardAllison Jay-Baber
Performer, Teacher Willy Chen Founder - Happy Arts & Science Center Sr. Assoc. - GSB Podium Advisors Marla A. Hirokawa Founder, Director, Choreographer Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn Ellen Young Founder, Richards Interior Design Emma Rishel Development Coordinator, Database & Operations - School of American Ballet |
Chance-to-Dance Program Performers
Our Chance To Dance program offers children and teens ages 7-17 educational and performance opportunities in our company productions and project. Selectees are generally chosen via public auditions and go on to rehearse alongside our company dancers and perform onstage in our productions.
Participants have gone on to perform on Broadway in The Lion King and with companies including Dance Theater of Harlem, LA Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, to name a few.
For inquires or consideration email us at dance@nevilledance.org
Adults
Will Chen (2008-2009)
Juilliard, New York University, PMT Studio
Anton David Leon (2008-2009)
PMT Studio
Sara Martinez (2008)
LaGuardia High School, Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, Ballet Academy East
Miho Sawayanagi (2009)
Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Naganuma 2
Will Chen (2008-2009)
Juilliard, New York University, PMT Studio
Anton David Leon (2008-2009)
PMT Studio
Sara Martinez (2008)
LaGuardia High School, Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, Ballet Academy East
Miho Sawayanagi (2009)
Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Naganuma 2
Children
Gabrielle Ayoub (2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Khail Toi Bryant (2009)
The Lion King (Broadway), The Perfect Holiday (film), The Ailey School, Nick at Night
Alexis Donovan (2009)
The Ailey School
Ariana Gibb (2008)
Carousel Dance Theatre, Fargo-Moorhead Ballet, A Christmas Carol (national tour)
Kristen Ivy Haynes (2009)
The Ailey School, HB Studios (acting), Sesame Street “Elmo’s World”
Chantale Hosein (2008)
The Ailey School, Goldstar Management (acting)
Kerry Ann Jensen (2009)
Inishfree School of Irish Dance (champion Irish step dancer)
Asia Jinks (2008)
Devore Dance Center, Five Star Academy
Miriam Kominsky (2007-2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Ally Moreno (2008)
The Ailey School, Shakespeare plays (various)
Xenia Nelson (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Long Island Gymnastics Academy, Colorado State Games
Camille Marie O’Keefe (2009)
The Ailey School
Armani Parker (2008)
Nustars, Modeling
Chelsea Patten (2009)
The Ailey School
Belu-Olisa Sarkissian (2008)
Rod Rogers Contemporary Dance Company
Katya Shykind (2009)
The Ailey School
Eden Sanaa Duncan-Smith (2008)
American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem
Sierra Sutton (2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts
Nyla Thompson (2008-2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts, The Bridge Ensemble Theatre Group
Livia Vega Velez (2008)
Bronx Dance Academy, THe Young Dance Makers Company
Misia Vessio (2008)
The Ailey School, Shotokan Karate
Kirsten Webb (2008)
The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center
KeyAna Williams (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Broadway Dance Center
Gabrielle Ayoub (2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Khail Toi Bryant (2009)
The Lion King (Broadway), The Perfect Holiday (film), The Ailey School, Nick at Night
Alexis Donovan (2009)
The Ailey School
Ariana Gibb (2008)
Carousel Dance Theatre, Fargo-Moorhead Ballet, A Christmas Carol (national tour)
Kristen Ivy Haynes (2009)
The Ailey School, HB Studios (acting), Sesame Street “Elmo’s World”
Chantale Hosein (2008)
The Ailey School, Goldstar Management (acting)
Kerry Ann Jensen (2009)
Inishfree School of Irish Dance (champion Irish step dancer)
Asia Jinks (2008)
Devore Dance Center, Five Star Academy
Miriam Kominsky (2007-2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Ally Moreno (2008)
The Ailey School, Shakespeare plays (various)
Xenia Nelson (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Long Island Gymnastics Academy, Colorado State Games
Camille Marie O’Keefe (2009)
The Ailey School
Armani Parker (2008)
Nustars, Modeling
Chelsea Patten (2009)
The Ailey School
Belu-Olisa Sarkissian (2008)
Rod Rogers Contemporary Dance Company
Katya Shykind (2009)
The Ailey School
Eden Sanaa Duncan-Smith (2008)
American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem
Sierra Sutton (2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts
Nyla Thompson (2008-2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts, The Bridge Ensemble Theatre Group
Livia Vega Velez (2008)
Bronx Dance Academy, THe Young Dance Makers Company
Misia Vessio (2008)
The Ailey School, Shotokan Karate
Kirsten Webb (2008)
The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center
KeyAna Williams (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Broadway Dance Center