Elisa Monte Dance Photos
“Physically intense and sensual”
—New York Magazine
Elisa Monte Dance bridges cultural barriers through the universal language of dance. The company’s work emphasizes three main objectives: Train and maintain a corps of professional dancers of multi-ethnic origin, capable of meeting the artistic and physical demands of the choreography; Educate individuals in the art of movement and in appreciation of live dance performance; andCollaborate with distinguished artists across other disciplines.
From its earliest recognition on the world stage in 1982 as “Best Company” at the International Dance Festival of Paris, the company has succeeded for more than three decades. The work of Elisa Monte, a former principal dancer with Martha Graham Dance Company, Lar Lubovitch, and Pilobolus, is widely recognized for its highly athletic and sensual style, as well as its technical and physical acuity, exploring a multitude of topics and themes.
The company has performed in over 40 countries on 5 continents. Elisa Monte Dance has also appeared in several major dance festivals among them, the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, The Spoleto Festival both in the US and Umbria, Italy, Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors to Steps ’98 Switzerland, and participated in Weimar, Germany’s 1999 Cultural Capital activities. Elisa Monte Dance has been featured on television networks through Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, and the company was highlighted on Metro Arts on PBS Channel 13 as part of the station’s Dance Month celebrating accomplished New York City-based choreographers. Elisa Monte Dance celebrates diversity through its work, artists, and staff. The company’s artists hail from all corners of the globe, including the Caribbean, Europe, and across the United States.
A singular artistic vision combines with vigorous athleticism in the works of Elisa Monte Dance. The dancers rise to the creative challenge in an ecstatic display of physical prowess that gives life to an intense array of emotions. At once true to its own distinctive style and eager to encompass diverse cultural influences, Elisa Monte Dance takes a global view of movement that puts the world of dance within the audience’s grasp.
Elisa Monte Dance continues to broaden its mission including educational outreach initiatives designed to foster an appreciation of dance in young people, developing and encouraging talented young choreographers through its Choreographic Initiative funded in part by its newest component, the Junior Board, which is committed to bringing the Company’s message to a younger audience.
We wish to thank our audiences and donors for their incredible support of our work!