hosted + curated by:

produced by:

dance rebels’ revival Group

A unique dance series for people of all backgrounds and experience levels to explore their own authentic movement and creativity. The series continues this summer + fall on Mondays at 6pm.

Dance Rebels’ Solo Squad

Experienced dancers who are reclaiming their true expression on their own terms through the creation of an original solo piece.

ballet for dance rebels

An empowering adult ballet series that remixes classical, contemporary, and pop music to make beginner-level ballet more fun. The series continues this fall on Wednesdays at 7pm.

renee manzolillo

Boundless Badass, owner, and founder of Breakin Boundaries a local Dance, Fitness and Therapeutic Wellness Center located in the heart of Greenpoint, Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Jess grippo

An award-winning dancer, TEDx speaker, and the creator of the Dance Rebel Movement who left traditional dance behind - after training in classical ballet for 10+ years - to create her own movement.

dance rebels:

(noun)

the brave souls who choose to create their own way in dance and in life: defying the rules, breaking free of confinement, and reclaiming the power of their body and creative expression.

The show:

On Being a Dance Rebel

Words + dances from participants of #danceinmay2019 dance challenge
Music: Surrender by Johana Souvenance
Video Editing + Concept: Jess Grippo

Call of the Drum

Choreographer + Dancer: Marikit Catalano
Music: Solo Tabla 1 by Samer Issa

House on Fire

Choreographers: Jess Grippo, Cate Prefontaine Hausmann, and Michelle Maso, in collaboration with the dancers
Music: House on Fire by Sia
Dancers: Niki Carlotti, Cate Prefontaine Hausmann, Michelle Maso, Daniela Ramirez, Tamara Fisch, Dana DeFrancesco, Carrie Maso, Tyla Fowler
Part of the Dance Rebel Collective series

Heavy

Choreographer + Dancer: Tyla Fowler
Music: Heavy by Birdtalker

Ballet Rebels

Choreographer: Jess Grippo
Music: tous les memes by Stromae
Dancers: Gena Kaufman, Lusheena Warner, Jennie Souiade, Ivy Perez, Amelia Villano, Allison Joyce Applebaum, Layah Schreiber, Vanessa Chang
Part of the Ballet Rebels series

Blue Mountain Ridge

Choreographer + Dancer: Cate Prefontaine Hausmann
Music: blue Mountain ridge by Vicktor Taiwò

lovin is easy

Choreographer + Dancer: Jess Grippo
Music: Lovin Is Easy by Carsie Blanton

intermission.

Treasure

Choreographer: Cate Prefontaine Hausmann, in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Treasure by Sampha
Dancers: Niki Carlotti, Cate Prefontaine Hausmann, Michelle Maso, Daniela
Ramirez, Tamara Fisch, Dana DeFrancesco, Carrie Maso
Part of the Dance Rebel Collective series

Carmen Fantasie

Choreographer + Dancer: Jessica Flynn
Music: Carmen Fantasie

Dance Into Your Answers

Facilitated by Jess Grippo

On My Own

Choreographer + Dancer: Michelle Maso
Music: Big Blue by Vampire Weekend

Nowadays: Mid-30s Edition

Choreographer: Bob Fosse
Dialogue: Allison Joyce, Jess Grippo
Music: Nowadays from Chicago the Musical, sung by Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon
Dancers: Allison Joyce, Jess Grippo
This adaptation of Nowadays was created in honor of Stanley Applebaum, the most amazing father and soulmate to Allison Joyce. Stan epitomized what it means to “Dance in the Rain” and we are committed to carrying on his legacy.

Dance of Inner Reflection

Film by Renee Manzolillo

Reviver

Adapted from Survivor by Destiny’s Child
Music: Alan Thompson
Lyrics: Jess Grippo
Choreographer: Jess Grippo
Featured Dancers: Jess Grippo, Cate Prefontaine Hausmann, Michelle Maso
Dancers: Entire Cast + Audience

the end.
(and the beginning)

the cast:

Niki Carlotti

Niki began dancing at age three, but a family illness combined with the hustle and bustle of college in NYC resulted in a ten year hiatus from dance. Discovering YCDA was a wonderful moment, and dancing again has inspired Niki to fully embrace her creative side. Not only does she make the time each week for dance, she also writes (and copyedits) in her free time as a way to ensure life isn't all work and no play.

Marikit Catalano

Marikit started dancing and performing at the age of six and has studied several dance styles including jazz, tap, Filipino folk dance, and belly dance. Somewhere in her twenties, she took a three-year hiatus from dance until she connected with Jess Grippo and began rediscovering herself as a dancer. Marikit is passionate about using dance as a channel for her emotions and creativity. Most of all, dance gives her the opportunity to be her true self. She hopes to inspire others to pursue what they love though sharing her experiences online. You can connect with her @marikitdance on Instagram and on her Youtube channel, Marikit Dance.

Vanessa Chang

Small, but gets the job done.

Dana Rose DeFrancesco

“A steel town girl,” Dana started dancing when she was 4, became a professional at 17 and has performed and taught ever since. Unplanned, many times, her path took “the long way around” dealing with and healing from injuries. This led her to yoga, pilates, bodywork which have been added to her daily life in practice and as jobs. When she has felt lost, dance has brought her back, given her connection and peace. She is blessed to be a part of this amazing group that brought dance back to her soul, “locking rhythms to the beat of her heart.”

Tamara Fisch

Tamara is a writer and filmmaker. She's thrilled to be dancing with these rebels.

Jessica Flynn

Jessica danced with New York City Ballet for six seasons before calling it quits at age 20. For the past thirteen years, she's been teaching preschool and dance, and has a license in health coaching. Jessica is currently attaining her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. She is thrilled to have an opportunity to be back onstage.

Tyla Fowler

Tyla is a life and vision enhancement coach living in Brooklyn, NY. She's passionate about living from a place of power, pleasure and play, and she most enjoys supporting disruptive leaders, builders and makers who are committed to changing how the world goes.

Allison Joyce

Allison received her initial dance training with the Joffrey Ballet, where she studied for ten years and - most relevant to her current adventures - she met #youcandanceagain creative director Jess Grippo in 1995. She received additional training at the Juilliard and Boston Ballet Schools, and performed with the Dallas/Fort Worth Ballet and Joffrey Ballet companies. After a 15-year break from performance altogether to pursue a career in academic medicine, Allison returned to the studio and stage in 2014 through the #youcandanceagain program, and is thrilled to be performing again this year.

Renee Manzolillo

Renee is a Boundless Badass, owner and founder of Breakin Boundaries a local Dance, Fitness and Therapeutic Wellness Center located in the heart of Greenpoint, Williamsburg Brooklyn. A Certified Movement & Behavior Analyst, with over 16 years experience as an ABA therapist in the world of Autism. A Master Reiki Practitioner and Healer, known as “The Limitless Life Choreographer” Dance-Fitness instructor-educator, Co-creator of intrinsic desires taking sacred souls through healing journeys and a Business Growth Expansion Specialist. A curator of consciously designed events that bring together educational support to individuals in business and those community members wanting resources which will guide them down a path of least resistance. One of her biggest JOYS in life is her family. As an entrepreneur, she hopes to continue to INSPIRE others. She is a woman of empowerment and a philosopher of self experience and expression.

Carrie Maso

Carrie joined Dance Rebels in 2017. She grew up dancing with her sister during her childhood and teen years. After college, Carrie stopped dancing and is so happy to have found her way back to it with Dance Rebels. She is so excited to be dancing again this year with her dance friends and sister Michelle. When she is not dancing she is working as a speech-language pathologist with children ages 2-21. Carrie would like to thank her family, friends and fiancé for supporting her dance journey.

Michelle Maso

Michelle Maso identifies as a dancer, educator, wife, mother and many other things. She studied Dance at Rutgers University and Special Education at Long Island University. Michelle is a full time Dance Educator with the NYC Department of Education, where she teaches 3K Creative Movement. In 2015, at the beginning of Jess Grippo’s You Can Dance Again movement, Michelle rediscovered her dancer self and has been dancing and creating ever since. She enjoys sharing her passion for dance and helping her students develop body awareness and comfort, while encouraging their creative expression.

Ivy Perez

Ivy started dancing flamenco and traditional Mexican dance while in elementary school. After hanging up her castanets, she didn't start dancing again until college, when an ankle injury made her turn to ballet to rehabilitate her ankle. New York City's thriving community has inspired her to keep dancing and celebrating music.

Cate Prefontaine Hausmann

Cate is an original You Can Dance Again member. Over the past few years, Cate has reconnected with her creativity in partnership with Jess through writing painting, dancing, and now, choreography. When Cate is not dancing, she serves as ELA Director for a network of single sex charter schools in Manhattan and the Bronx. She has previously worked as a teacher, coach, administrator and consultant in schools around the United States. She loves to dance with her husband Kevin and to bring the gift of dance into the lives of family, friends, and even perfect strangers through teaching and taking classes, making dance videos and performing whenever possible. Cate is thrilled to be taking the lead in this series with her dynamic, energetic, inclusive and down to earth approach to dance.

Daniela Ramirez

Daniela began dancing at the age of 7 in her hometown studio, where she later joined their company and competed locally until she graduated High School. She danced for fun in college and has taken a dance class here or there in her many years living in NYC since. Last year's YCDA showcase was her first on-stage performance in 10 years and she is honored to be joining the show again tonight.

Layah Schreiber

Layah has been called back to the dance floor by her curious feet and creative-seeking soul. As a child, she practiced ballet and jazz, and as an adult, she has gravitated to freestyle dancing in her kitchen and on subway-platforms. Most of the time, Layah works as a Reggio educator at Preschool of the Arts, a writer, and a weekend sales associate and vintage enthusiast at AuH2O Thriftique in the East Village. She values bringing creativity, wonder, kindness, respect, and empathy to her classroom, community, and beyond. She feels deeply grateful for having met Jess and her fellow dance rebels, and to be part of a liberated, beautiful community of people who are looking to feel alive in our bodies, give space to that calling, and celebrate the ways we move!

Jennie Souiade

Jennie is a miracle-minded creative conceptualizer. She believes in creating experiences that touch real people, somehow making their lives better—that’s what lights my fire and fuels my passion. Her forté is flowing with the Universe to transform ideas into creations in collaboration with others. She put on her first pair of ballet shoes at age two, and danced in her "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" costume, with the song to match later that year. She’s been an entertainer in one way or another ever since. Now, dancing is her meditation. It grounds her and lifts her up. She loves that Jess not only keeps everyone dancing but lets them put on a show. She aims to share a story with her movement in hopes of moving someone.

Amelia Villano

Amelia is from Florida and moved to New York City 6 years ago. She plays the clarinet and loves dancing. She danced LIGHTLY in middle and high school so... it's been a while.

Lusheena Warner

Lusheena is a lover of dance and has very vivid memories of dancing in every part of her childhood house from the kitchen to the basement. She began formally taking dance classes in high school when her family was able to afford lessons and she hasn't stopped dancing since. She is so grateful for the community that Jess has created and loves that she can continue expressing her love for dance in a low-pressure environment that nurtures individuality and authenticity.

The movement:

in a city where dance performance is mostly reserved for "the professionals," the dance rebel movement recognizes that dancers walk these streets in all kinds of professions, shapes, and forms - and all should get a chance to dance their dance. because dance is what moves us, frees us, and brings us home.

The host:

Jess Grippo is an award-winning dancer, TEDx speaker, and the creator of the Dance Rebel Movement. After training in classical ballet for 10+ years and receiving a BA from NYU, she left traditional dance behind to create her own unique career path and company. Her transformative programs, dance videos, and events have helped hundreds of people in NYC (and beyond) revive their creative expression and reclaim the power in their bodies.

Thank you:

i cry in gratitude when i think of…

Susannah Winspear for your costuming support and bearing with my poor dishwashing habits leading up to showtime.

Lindsay Shields for holding it down with tech so gracefully.

Peter Koloff for documenting another show with your photo and video skills.

Valerie Wright for letting Brooklyn Center Stage be my creative home this year and for your direction and support with my work.

Maya Jocelyn for your healing energy work that helped recalibrate my soul.

Sally + Sasha for rounding out the full circle moment of this showcase with your support, for all the details and spiritual nudges along the way.

Cate + Michelle for yet another year of your presence and dance leadership and creative expression that has been a vital force in creating this community.

to the dance rebels, near and far:

You are moving this world in a positive direction.
You are creating a revolution.
Thank you for dancing.
Please keep going.