Greetings from the 2015/2016 Dance/NYC Junior Committee! This is Ashley Richard, the Junior Committee blog editor for this year. We are looking forward to sharing our advocacy, outreach, projects and research with you readers and the NYC dance community at large.

Who is the Dance/NYC Junior Committee, you ask? The Dance/NYC Junior Committee is a professional development organization comprised of young dance leaders engaging in critical dialogue with an emphasis on advocacy and diversity. There are twenty-three members on the 2015/2016 committee ranging from 21-30 years of age.

We are committed to attending two meetings a month where we’ll focus on professional development and think tanks. This year some of our committee members will be contributing to the blog on a variety of topics and opinions. We’ll also note upcoming events that the Dance/NYC Junior Committee members are involved in. Can’t make the Bessie Awards this Fall, we’ll give you an insider look at the awards show and after party. Want to get involved with our events? Check back here to find out how!

On my radar this weekend is the CHIN Project, a choreographic initiative developed by Doug Varone and Dancers. The program, held at the 92nd Street Y through Sunday features ten emerging choreographers all at different stages in their careers. This initiative allows audiences to witness new work in raw form, and get a closer look at up-and-coming choreographers. Get tickets here.

I’m also really looking forward to writing my first letter with Dances for Solidarity, a project created by Sarah Dahnke where anyone can correspond with inmates incarcerated in solitary confinement. Join Sarah this Tuesday from 6-8pm at the Abrons Art Center Letter Writing Clinic, and learn more about her inspiring project here.

Like the Dance/NYC Junior Committee on Facebook here and follow us on Twitter @DanceNYCJComm to be a part of the discussion.  

Ciao for now,

Ashley Richard