McNamee, WIFE, and Backhausdance. He has trained with Rafael Bonachela at Sydney Dance Company and Sarah Slipper & Lucas Crandall at Northwest Dance Project. Zak is Co-Artistic Director of LA-based AXIOM Dance Theatre where he creates and presents original work with partner Denna Thomsen. He is the proud recipient of the 2014 Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Choreographer Award. 2015 marks his first season with Shen Wei Dance Arts. Austin Selden, originally from Farmington Hills, MI, received his BFA from the University of Michigan. He moved to Philadelphia, PA for one year with his collaborator, Sarah Konner, where he searched for work and lived a very frugal lifestyle. Austin started dancing with Shen Wei Dance Arts in 2011 and moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he remains today. He’s been fortunate to dance in various projects (Artichoke Dance Company, Amy Chavasse, Catherine Galasso, Janice Lancaster-Larsen) and is currently working with Anneke Hansen and collaborator Sarah Konner. Austin is certified in Pilates, curious about other somatic practices/teachers, and explores movement with kids in New York Schools and beyond. Alex Speedie is a native of Austin, CO, and received his BFA from North Carolina School of the Arts. He has danced for Mark Dendy and Oliver Steele and has performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Merce Cunningham, and Larry Keigwin. He studies capoeira and enjoys participating in downhill racing sports. Alex began working with Shen Wei Dance Arts in 2011. Andrea Thompson joined Shen Wei Dance Arts in 2015, following two seasons with Hubbard Street 2. She danced with the Foundry, Zhukov Dance Theatre, and LoudHoundMovement after completing her training at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance in 2012. Andrea has performed the work of Idan Sharabi, Robyn Mineko Williams, and William Forsythe (as staged by Christopher Roman) through participation in Springboard Danse Montreal. She is a contributor to the dance blogs ‘Stance on Dance’ and 4Dancers.org and has taught in summer programs for both
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. Maria Volpe graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts in 2015 and is a certified Pilates teacher. In 2013 she studied abroad in London at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has performed in works by Larry Keigwin, Stefanie Batten Bland, Keith Thompson, and Randy James. This is Maria’s first season with Shen Wei Dance Arts. Michael Wright is a professional dance artist living in New York City. Since moving to New York, Wright has worked with the New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Satellite Collective, Exit 12 Dance Company, The Chase Brock Experience, and Steeledance. He also worked as a dancer at Tokyo Disneyland from 2008 until 2009 and again in 2012. As a dance educator, he has had the privilege of teaching at Peridance, Steps on Broadway, and at studios and universities both domestically and abroad. Wright holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University. He has danced with Shen Wei Dance Arts since 2011. Ricardo Zayas is a native of Brooklyn, NY. He studied on scholarship at the schools of the Dance Theater of Harlem and the San Francisco Ballet. In 2005 he graduated with honors from Fordham University and was invited to join Ailey II in his senior year. Ricardo has also danced with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Sidra Bell Dance New York, Post:Ballet, Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and Alonzo King/LINES Ballet. In 2009, Dance Magazine named him one of the “25 to Watch.” When not on tour with Shen Wei Dance Arts, he performs in the currently running hit production Queen of the Night at the Diamond Horseshoe. Ricardo danced with Shen Wei Dance Arts in 2006 and returned to the company in 2013.
Key Staff Biographies Diane Rosenblatt (Director of Development and External Affairs) An arts administrator and development professional with
two decades of experience, Diane Rosenblatt served as a fundraising consultant to several dance organizations, including Shen Wei Dance Arts, before joining the Shen Wei Dance Arts staff. Prior to turning her focus exclusively to fundraising and development, she served as Executive Director of the Armitage Foundation/Armitage Gone! Dance (2007-2010), where she oversaw a 32% growth in the Company’s operations. She served as the Executive Director of Doug Varone and Dancers for ten years, where she produced more than 20 new Varone works and guided the organization’s growth from a small organization to a million-dollar operating budget. She has also served as the Marketing and Public Relations Director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, Acting Executive Director of the Michigan Dance Association, and Managing Director of Michael Mao Dance. She completed graduate coursework as a Ph.D. candidate in History at the University of Michigan and holds a BA from Boston University. She has published several articles on dance for Michigan publications. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Shen Wei Dance Arts Acknowledgements Sincere thanks to the Shen Wei Dance Arts Board of Directors: Helen Y. Little, Chair; David S. Brown, Secretary; Charles L. Reinhart, Treasurer; Susan L. Baker; William M. Carey; Caroline Cronson; and Michèle Pesner. Special thanks to our Advisory Council: Celia Chou, Kenneth Foster, Stephanie French, Pieter Hoffman, Karen Hsu, Norma Stevens, Patricia Pei, Jennifer Tipton, and Shirley Young. In ongoing support of its mission, the Company wishes to thank Nigel Redden and the Lincoln Center Festival; Jodee Nimerichter and the American Dance Festival; Alicia Adams and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Rebecca Robertson and Park Avenue Armory; Arlene Schuler and New York City Center; and Mary Sharp Cronson and Works & Process at the Guggenheim. Special thanks to Richard Feldman and the SHS Foundation, Jan Krukowski and Nancy Harrow, Lawrence S. Greene.
2016 Winter Program 57