Koresh Dance Board Orientation Manual

Board Manual

MISSION, HISTORY, & VISION |MISSION The Koresh Dance Company is fully dedicated to the enrichment of the cultural landscape and artistic reputation of Philadelphia. It is important to us to sustain a group of dancers and an administrative staff on salary, so that we can fully dedicate ourselves to our mission. We serve our mission in three ways: Performance, Education, and Community Outreach

|HISTORY Koresh Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Israeli-born choreographer and artistic director Ronen (Roni) Koresh. Known for its engaging performance and technically superb dancers, the company performs critically acclaimed works at its biannual Philadelphia seasons, as well as in touring performances around the country. Koresh has been hailed internationally, touring to destinations including Spain, Turkey, Israel, South Korea, Mexico, and Guatemala. Over the years, Roni has developed a vast repertoire of work that ranges from explosive and passionate to intimate and restrained. The company also presents work by guest choreographers including Ohad Naharin, Robert Battle, Donald Byrd, Itzik Galili, and Paul Selwyn Norton.

Opened in 1993, the Koresh School of Dance serves as the company's home and acts as a dance training center for the Philadelphia community. Located in the heart of Center City, just off of Rittenhouse Square, the studio offers daily classes for both children and adults. Beginning dancers professionals alike can choose from over 60 classes each week in styles including jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, modern, and tap.

In 2008, the Koresh Youth Ensemble was established to provide serious young dancers with intensive training and professional performance opportunities. Students who demonstrate both the talent and desire to pursue dance professionally audition for the ensemble each year. Under the direction of Melissa Rector, Assistant Artistic Director of Koresh Dance Company, ensemble members have the opportunity to learn both original choreography and company repertory. They perform during the company's home seasons at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, as well as at Koresh Artist Showcases throughout the year.

In addition to performance and instruction, Koresh Dance Company is committed to community building and outreach. While on tour, the company provides diverse outreach offerings that connect with dancers and non-dancers alike. Activities including postperformance discussions, residencies, lecture demonstrations and master classes bring dance off the stage and into the lives of audiences across the country. At home, the Koresh Kids Dance program brings arts education to underserved children by creating partnerships with Philadelphia public schools and providing free weekly dance classes for their 4th and 5th grade students, promoting creativity as a conduit for non-violence and achieving life goals.

Koresh extends dance education and performance resources to its community by presenting emerging artists in bi-monthly Koresh Artist Showcases. The showcases present work by local choreographers and artists, providing individuals and companies in the community an opportunity to perform their work at no cost and to connect with a wider audience. In 2013, Koresh expanded the showcase model to present over two dozen companies in the Come Together Dance Festival, which is now an annual opportunity for Philadelphia dancers, choreographers, and audiences to create and experience a wide array of dance forms and styles.

Whether on the road or at home, Koresh Dance Company makes it known to the world that Philadelphia fosters creativity and artistic excellence.

|VISION Koresh Dance Company aims to be an enduring source of creative nourishment and enrichment for its community, the pulse of artistic activity on the Philadelphia dance landscape, a connector among the region’s creative community, and an incubator for new and emerging dance artistry of the highest caliber.

COMPANY BIOS Ronen Koresh – Artistic Director Roni Koresh is an Israeli-American choreographer whose work presents “a wealth of forceful invention” (Art Burst Miami). Koresh has established a repertoire of over 60 works “rang[ing] from intimate to high-voltage” (Northwestern Press). He develops 2 to 3 new works each year including commissions for notable companies across the country. His work has been supported

by Pew Charitable Trusts, the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Jerome Robbins Foundation, among others.

Koresh’s work represents his experience of both Israeli and American cultures. Born and raised in Israel, he received early dance training from his mother, a folk dancer in the Yemenite tradition.

He then joined Martha Graham’s Batsheva 2 Dance Company before enlisting in the Israeli army.

Koresh integrates each of these influences into his choreography, which draws its strong sense of humanity, sweeping circle patterns, military precision, and Middle Eastern flavor from his life in Israel.

In 1983, Koresh moved to New York to study at Alvin Ailey, solidifying his strong foundation in ballet, Horton and Graham techniques. He soon began performing with Shimon Braun’s Waves Jazz Dance Company in Philadelphia, where he studied Luigi Jazz and developed the muscular isolations and periods of continuous movement that define his style today. At this time, he also began to draw from club dancing, hip hop, and pedestrian gesture. A consummate observer and movement chameleon, this prolific choreographer builds his movement repertoire from any genre that can best make his point clear. Undefined by any one school of movement, Koresh calls his style simply “Dance.” “If a movement fits, I use it,” says Koresh. “It is about using movement to communicate, not about adhering to a particular style.” And communicate it does, leading audiences to laughter, tears, and awe within a single program.

Committed to exploring human relationships, perception, and change, Koresh produces contemporary dance that is highly technical and deeply resonant, acclaimed by critics as both innovative and accessible. “Athletic, exuberant, [and] disciplined” (Cincinnati Enquirer), Koresh choreography displays a quick wit, “big-heartedness, and … humor” (Reading Eagle).

Alon Koresh – Executive Director After serving in the Israeli army from 18-21, he immigrated to the United States in 1989. He managed a record store, Sound of Market, from the years 1989 through 1994. In 1994, he became part-owner of the store until 1997. During his years at the record store, he also produced and recorded a music CD in Israel.

In 1991, he co-founded the Koresh Dance Company and in 1993 opened the Koresh School of Dance in 1993 with brother, Ronen Koresh. While still managing the record store, he was a part-time volunteer with the dance company. In 1997, he left the record store to commit full-time to the operations of the company and school.

In 1997, when Alon Koresh became the full-time executive director, the operating budget was $60,000. As of 2018, Alon has increased the company’s operating budget to $1,200,000.

He oversees all operations of the company and the dance school; including administration, marketing, presenting, fundraising, outreach and miscellaneous issues. Since Alon joined the company staff, the dancers are paid a salary for their rehearsals and performances. Alon also maintains a presence at all regional and national conferences.

Melissa Rector – Assistant Artistic Director, Dancer, Director of Koresh Youth Ensemble Originally from West Virginia, Melissa started dancing at a young age with Monica Folio. She graduated from the University of the Arts in 1993. Melissa has been dancing with Koresh Dance Company since its inception in 1991 and is the company’s Assistant Artistic Director. She is also an instructor at the Koresh School of Dance, where she teaches her unique style that blends modern jazz and Luigi technique. Her work has been performed locally at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Annenberg Center, Drexel University, the Grier School and Brandywine Ballet. She frequently travels around the country to perform, teach master classes and set choreography on students. In 2008, Melissa helped to establish the Koresh Youth Ensemble and serves as their artistic director, setting both original choreography and company repertory on the group.

STAFF & DANCERS

STAFF Ronen Koresh – Artistic Director Alon Koresh – Executive Director Nir Koresh – School Director Melissa Rector – Assistant Artistic Director/Dancer Keila Perez-Vega – Director of Marketing and Events Sharon Place – Director of Development Dara Schmoyer – Company Manager Lindsey Jaynes – Outreach Coordinator Courtney Fickes – School Coordinator Peter Jakubowski – Lighting Designer Sandy Mitchel – Videographer

Dancers Paige Devitt Micah Geyer Mikal Gilbert Michaela Harrington Callie Hocter Devon Larcher Melissa Rector Kevan Sullivan Bob Tyler Sarah Shaulis

Teachers Greg Anmuth Courtney Conigatti Jess Daley Michelle Figueiredo Cheryl Francaviglia Gary Jeter Becky Mastin Samuel Reyes Ryan Stauffer Eva Greiner Szabo Lara Tant Tyger B

Staff Structure Board of Directors

Executive Director

Development Director

Marketing Director

Interns

Company Manager

Artistic Director

School Director

School Coordinator

Interns

Outreach Director

Teachers

Teaching Artists

Asst. Artistic Director

Dancers

Collaborators

Technical Director

Asst.

Technical Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Lazin – President Vice President, Bongiovi Entertainment an independent record label that produces and distributes music internationally.

It also specializes in artist development and the acquisition of music industry assets. Real Estate Developer; Business and Real Estate Finance; served as a director of several lending and investment organizations, including The Reinvestment Fund, DVCRF Venture Capital Fund and Diversified Investment Affiliates. Founder and President of Access Financial Services, which invests in cash flow instruments including mortgages and commercial receivables.

Leslie Baker Boris – Vice-President Board Member, Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation Andrew Frankel– Treasurer Operating officer of Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners, a leader in the field of Dermatological services and innovation in Pennsylvania. He has an extensive background in the arts and culture having directed the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts in Philadelphia, as well as numerous Arts organizations on the East and West Coasts. His is best known for his work of over 30 years in the promotion of African Arts and Culture. He and his wife currently produce an annual series of World music performances in Philadelphia under the heading of Lucky Goat Presents.

Dr. Joanna Chan – Secretary Joanna Chan studied ballet in Singapore before converting to modern dance when she moved to the United States to attend Johns Hopkins University. When she is not taking class at Koresh, she can be found at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology.

There, she is either behind her microscope diagnosing women's health issues or engaging with health science students. She is currently attempting to marry her love of dance and medicine by collaborating with Koresh Outreach to create a new course for Sidney Kimmel Medical College students entitled "Dance and Wellness".

Michelle Barbone – Member Michele Barbone is an Executive Consultant with over twenty-five years of Merchandising and Marketing experience working across multiple brands. Most recently, she has been the Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer at Lenox Corporation. Past experience includes multiple roles for companies such as Simon Pearce, abc carpet & home, Anthropologie, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and more. In addition to having a background across department stores, specialty home and specialty apparel, Michele has a strong marketing background in direct, catalog and e-commerce.

Niza Davidson, PhD – Member PhD in Biomedical Sciences and former Medical Writer (educational films, videos, etc.)

Lover of Dance and the Arts Board Member, Curtis Institute of Music Volunteer for various philanthropic organizations and non-profits, Chaired multiple activities for fund raising President, Parents Association, Episcopal Academy Certification in Grief Studies and Bereavement Care Group Facilitator, Peter's Place (a center for grieving children and their families) Toni Alperin Goldberg- Member Artists Series Concerts of Sarasota, FL; Sarasota Friends of Curtis; Former President of The Brady Cancer Research Institute Ronen Koresh - Member Artistic Director, Koresh Dance Company Alon Koresh - Member Executive Director, Koresh Dance Company

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board of Directors Responsibilities and Criteria 

It is the Board’s responsibility to be informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies and programs.

The Board from time to time reviews and approves the statement of mission and vision that articulates Koresh’s goals, means and primary constituents served. It is the expectation that each Board member will have a deep and passionate commitment to the vision, mission, aesthetic, values and professional leadership of Koresh Dance Company and its founders, and will keep up to date on developments in the field of dance.

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Attend at least four out of the six regular meetings of the Board and all committee meetings.

Regularly attend organizational functions including performances and special events.

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Serve on at least one committee and/or task forces and offer to take on special assignments, as requested.

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The Board must develop sound management policies and practices to ensure the company’s mission is carried out within a sound strategic plan and financial structure.

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The Board must provide proper financial oversight of the organization and ensure that there are adequate resources for the company to fulfill its mission. The Board assists in developing and tracking the annual budget and ensures that proper financial controls are in place.

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Working with the support of staff, the Board takes the lead in fundraising for Koresh. It participates in all fundraising activities through personal financial contributions and outreach to other potential donors. The current benchmark for giving to Koresh is $2,500 annually, but there is an expectation that each Board member will give at a level that indicates that Koresh is a priority for his or her giving, appropriate to the role as a leader of the organization. For special campaigns, Board members will be expected to make additional gifts at appropriate levels.

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Board members are expected to bring new potential supporters to the company and participate in their cultivation and solicitation as supporters.

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Board members serve as ambassadors for Koresh, by encouraging attendance at performances and enhancing the company’s public image by helping the community to better understand the value and function of Koresh.

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The Board ensures the legal and ethical integrity of the organization and maintains accountability. The Board is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms. It follows conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.

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Board members suggest and, along with the nominating committee of the Board, help to recruit possible nominees to the Board. These individuals will be those who can make significant contributions to the work of the Board and to Koresh.

Name:

GIVE/GET FORM

Date:

My Expectations: What I would like to get out of my involvement on the board this year:

My Give: Financial Commitment: My personal gift pledge: To be paid how (installments, one gift, stock, credit) Time Commitment Expectations: Number of Board Meetings Attending

(2019 – 5 out of 6 meetings)

Number of Committee Meetings Attending

(2019 – 1 out of 1 meeting)

Time outside of meetings (ie. luncheons, resource development, funder meetings) Resource Development: New Patron Names

Foundation/corporate/political development contacts My Get Financial Contributions: Event

2018 Actual

2019 Goal

2019 Actual Total

Annual Donations Showcase Tickets In the Studio Tickets Come Together Tickets Spring Performance Tickets Auction Tickets

Signature

Date