Hailed as "compelling," "imaginative," and "pure delight" by both critics and reviewers, Neville Dance Theatre, a non-profit Manhattan based dance company, excels in bringing diverse dance elements together to create theatrical, innovative works that are a colorful tapestry of movement which explore our shared world and the vastness of the human spirit.
Through contemporary creations to full length ballets - including a 21st century, multimedia Nutcracker and an original 'Days of the Dead' Halloween ballet, Memento Muerto - this vibrant company enlists the limitlessness of dance as a means of international expression and communication celebrating the similarities and differences of diverse cultures from around the world.
Founded in 2005 by Brenda R. Neville, the Manhattan-based company of 6-12 dancers and guests perform New York City seasons, concerts, festival performances, and touring engagements for audiences of all ages and ethnicities. Founded as a means of opening cross-cultural dialogues between differing dance genres and nationalities, Neville Dance Theatre fosters an artistic exchange of styles, outlooks, and attitudes, instilling an appreciation for the beauty, value, and significance of dance as a living art form for today and generations to come.
Neville Dance Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt organization.
Founder and Artistic Director
Brenda R. Neville
Brenda R. Neville
For over two decades, Brenda R. Neville has performed and choreographed in over 18 different countries including Argentina, China, Hungary, Japan, Romania and Spain with companies such as the Milwaukee Ballet, Indianapolis Dance Company, AllNations Dance Company, Marc DeGarmo & Dancers and Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn. An extremely versatile singer and actress as well, she trained at the Lee Strasburg Actor’s Studio in NYC and has performed lead roles in numerous musical productions such as “Footloose”, “My Fair Lady”, “La Cage aux Folles”, “Crazy for You” and in several film and commercial roles. She has trained and performed with some of the top talents in dance today, including Juan Carlos Copes, Antonio Cervila Jr., Jose Molina, Soledad Barrio, Magdalena, Sean Curran, Elizabeth Parkinson, Niall O’Leary, Marjorie Mussman, Graciela Kozak and Diana Cartier and at schools including The Ailey School, American Ballet Theatre, the Milwaukee Ballet School and Peridance.
An active dance teacher, Brenda teaches Junior Division ballet at The Ailey School, Advanced Ballet and Ethnic Dance at Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, open Flamenco and Argentine Tango classes at Steps on Broadway, and guest teaches at various studios and schools around the country. Her students have been accepted into some of the most sought after and reputable dance programs, colleges and companies in the country, including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, The Ailey School and Point Park College and on Broadway.
An expert ballet pointe shoe fitter, Brenda heads the US Retail Department & NYC Boutique for Freed of London and has aided in the development and promotion of the Gaynor Minden pointe shoe. She is a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she received a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy, cum laude, and is an original co-founder of World Dance Theatre. And now, Brenda is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary - Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
An active dance teacher, Brenda teaches Junior Division ballet at The Ailey School, Advanced Ballet and Ethnic Dance at Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, open Flamenco and Argentine Tango classes at Steps on Broadway, and guest teaches at various studios and schools around the country. Her students have been accepted into some of the most sought after and reputable dance programs, colleges and companies in the country, including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, The Ailey School and Point Park College and on Broadway.
An expert ballet pointe shoe fitter, Brenda heads the US Retail Department & NYC Boutique for Freed of London and has aided in the development and promotion of the Gaynor Minden pointe shoe. She is a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she received a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy, cum laude, and is an original co-founder of World Dance Theatre. And now, Brenda is an ABT Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Primary - Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum.
Company Artists
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS
Chance-to-Choreograph Program Selectees
StaffBrenda R. Neville
Founder, Director, Choreographer Karen Lacy Assistant Rehearsal Director Benjamin Briones, Angela Friedman, Yuliya Lobach Costume Designers Andrew Garvis (freelance) Lighting Design/ Technical Director Veronica Falborn (freelance) Stage Manager |
Board of DirectorsBrenda R. Neville
NDT Board President Susie Ellis NDT Board Co-Chair Brandon Cotton NDT Board Treasurer Karen Lacy NDT Board Secretary |
Advisory BoardThomas Buckley
New York Life Brandon Cotton Graphics Manager, Bank of America Susie Ellis Freelance Photographer Karen Lacy Performer, Choreographer Teaching Artist - ABT Senior Fitter - Gaynor Minden Greg Miller Founder, Director - Dance Parade NYC Director - Columbia Medical Ginny Mottla Dancer; Grant Writer Sales Associate -Freed of London Frankie O’Donnell Philanthropist and Humanitarian Emma Rishel CPYB Graduate/Dancer Wholesale Manager -Freed of London |
Honorary Advisory BoardAllison Jay-Baber
Performer, Teacher Willy Chen Founder - Happy Arts & Science Center Sr. Assoc. - GSB Podium Advisors Marla A. Hirokawa Founder, Director, Choreographer Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn Ellen Young Founder, Richards Interior Design |
Chance-to-Dance Program Performers
Adults
Will Chen (2008-2009)
Juilliard, New York University, PMT Studio
Anton David Leon (2008-2009)
PMT Studio
Sara Martinez (2008)
LaGuardia High School, Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, Ballet Academy East
Miho Sawayanagi (2009)
Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Naganuma 2
Will Chen (2008-2009)
Juilliard, New York University, PMT Studio
Anton David Leon (2008-2009)
PMT Studio
Sara Martinez (2008)
LaGuardia High School, Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, Ballet Academy East
Miho Sawayanagi (2009)
Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Naganuma 2
Children
Gabrielle Ayoub (2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Khail Toi Bryant (2009)
The Lion King (Broadway), The Perfect Holiday (film), The Ailey School, Nick at Night
Alexis Donovan (2009)
The Ailey School
Ariana Gibb (2008)
Carousel Dance Theatre, Fargo-Moorhead Ballet, A Christmas Carol (national tour)
Kristen Ivy Haynes (2009)
The Ailey School, HB Studios (acting), Sesame Street “Elmo’s World”
Chantale Hosein (2008)
The Ailey School, Goldstar Management (acting)
Kerry Ann Jensen (2009)
Inishfree School of Irish Dance (champion Irish step dancer)
Asia Jinks (2008)
Devore Dance Center, Five Star Academy
Miriam Kominsky (2007-2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Ally Moreno (2008)
The Ailey School, Shakespeare plays (various)
Xenia Nelson (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Long Island Gymnastics Academy, Colorado State Games
Camille Marie O’Keefe (2009)
The Ailey School
Armani Parker (2008)
Nustars, Modeling
Chelsea Patten (2009)
The Ailey School
Belu-Olisa Sarkissian (2008)
Rod Rogers Contemporary Dance Company
Katya Shykind (2009)
The Ailey School
Eden Sanaa Duncan-Smith (2008)
American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem
Sierra Sutton (2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts
Nyla Thompson (2008-2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts, The Bridge Ensemble Theatre Group
Livia Vega Velez (2008)
Bronx Dance Academy, THe Young Dance Makers Company
Misia Vessio (2008)
The Ailey School, Shotokan Karate
Kirsten Webb (2008)
The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center
KeyAna Williams (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Broadway Dance Center
Gabrielle Ayoub (2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Khail Toi Bryant (2009)
The Lion King (Broadway), The Perfect Holiday (film), The Ailey School, Nick at Night
Alexis Donovan (2009)
The Ailey School
Ariana Gibb (2008)
Carousel Dance Theatre, Fargo-Moorhead Ballet, A Christmas Carol (national tour)
Kristen Ivy Haynes (2009)
The Ailey School, HB Studios (acting), Sesame Street “Elmo’s World”
Chantale Hosein (2008)
The Ailey School, Goldstar Management (acting)
Kerry Ann Jensen (2009)
Inishfree School of Irish Dance (champion Irish step dancer)
Asia Jinks (2008)
Devore Dance Center, Five Star Academy
Miriam Kominsky (2007-2009)
Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn
Ally Moreno (2008)
The Ailey School, Shakespeare plays (various)
Xenia Nelson (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Long Island Gymnastics Academy, Colorado State Games
Camille Marie O’Keefe (2009)
The Ailey School
Armani Parker (2008)
Nustars, Modeling
Chelsea Patten (2009)
The Ailey School
Belu-Olisa Sarkissian (2008)
Rod Rogers Contemporary Dance Company
Katya Shykind (2009)
The Ailey School
Eden Sanaa Duncan-Smith (2008)
American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem
Sierra Sutton (2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts
Nyla Thompson (2008-2009)
The Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts, The Bridge Ensemble Theatre Group
Livia Vega Velez (2008)
Bronx Dance Academy, THe Young Dance Makers Company
Misia Vessio (2008)
The Ailey School, Shotokan Karate
Kirsten Webb (2008)
The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Broadway Dance Center
KeyAna Williams (2008)
The Ailey School, Ballet Tech, Broadway Dance Center