Partnering in dance requires trust, coordination, and adaptability. Whether lifting, being lifted, or working in counterbalance, dancers must navigate shared weight, timing, and physical connection. The demands can vary widely—catching a partner midair in a contemporary duet, initiating a fast-moving spin in ballroom, or sustaining balance through a classical pas de deux all require distinct […]

Dance careers generally don’t last forever—many dancers even transition into second careers during or after their years onstage. Because Point Park University recognizes this reality, it’s preparing its students for the many chapters in their dance journeys, starting with the first day they step on campus in Pittsburgh. To that end, Point Park is now offering a […]

Though the #MeToo movement has spurred many dancers to come forward with their stories of sexual harassment and abuse, the dance world has yet to have a full reckoning on the subject. Few institutions have made true cultural changes, and many alleged predators continue to work in the industry. As Chanel DaSilva’s story shows, young […]

I love being transgender. It’s an important part of the story of why I choreograph. Although I loved dance from a very young age, I grew up never seeing a single person like me in dance. So how could I imagine a future for myself there? The enormous barriers I had to overcome weren’t internal: […]

I have always felt a need to communicate and, even more importantly, to be understood. But as a child, I always hit an emotional wall when trying to speak. Although my great-aunt Rose had no connection to dance, she intuitively saw that I needed an outlet, and recommended that I take a movement class. It […]