Meet the QDF Dancers | Queens-Based Performers Spotlight

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Queensboro Dance Festival Participants

Introducing the 21 Queens-based dance companies of our 2025 Season Tour! Click on a photo to learn more about each company.

4 dancers with arms and leg up joyfully, theatrical blue background — Ah-Molla Dance Collective
From: Long Island City | Dance Genre: Korean Contemporary | Fun Fact: Life in Queens has really started my dance career and propelled me into my current place. I love the tight-knit community of Queens that always supports each other. I have truly found a second family in this borough. | Photo Credit: John Eng

Female Kuchipudi dancer in cream and purple dancing while holding a brass plate — Aishwarya Madhav
From: Long Island City| Dance Genre: Indian Classical Dance (Kuchipudi) | Fun Fact: Queens is where my baby was born and raised. This is the place that she calls home to and is something that is most special to me. | Photo Credit: Bhagavataru

Female tap dancer wearing black — Cole Collective
From: Astoria | Dance Genre: Tap Dance | Fun Fact: My dance work is rooted in my real life experience. I've had difficulty staying still in MRIs because of the rhythms that develop in my mind as I am going through the process. I'm very excited to present this piece because I'm finally able to bring these rhythms to life that I've had in my head for years. | Photo Credit: Eric Bandiero

6 Salsa dancers in green and black posing in a line — Cucala Dance Company
From: Long Island City | Dance Genre: NY Salsa | Fun Fact: In our first year of business we had a film crew from Univision call us to film an episode of the new show "Sabor De America" where celebrity Chef Yesus would be going to NYC to taste Latin food from and then also do a dance activity. Being it was within our first year we asked them how they found us and they simply said, "We looked on Google and saw that you guys had good street parking.” | Photo Credit: Cucala Dance Company

4 dancers holding arms in a circle and pulling to left — Drye Marinaro Dance Company
From: Forest Hills | Dance Genre: Modern | Fun Fact: In their adaptation of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree," DMDC embarks on a creative journey reimagining the story told through dance and American Sign Language (ASL). | Photo Credit: Robin Michals

4 Flamenco dancers in red and black posing with one arm up — Flamenco Latino
From: Jackson Heights | Dance Genre: Flamenco | Fun Fact: I love that the 7 train brings me to work in many diverse neighborhoods. On Mondays I teach kids in Flushing; on Thursdays I teach South Asian Seniors in Flushing. On Fridays and Saturdays, my students and dancers use the 7 to come to me for class or rehearsal in Jackson Heights. The 7 train is a life line! | Photo Credit: Eric Bandiero

7 dancers in denim outfits each in dramatic dance poses, purple background — Gotham Dance Theater
From: Woodside | Dance Genre: Contemporary Street Jazz | Fun Fact: In my choreography, there are always 1-2 movements that are inspired by Janet Jackson. | Photo Credit: Mike Esperanza

3 male and 3 female Ecuadorian dancers posing in traditional wear, seated in a stairwell — Jatary Sunchy Danza y Proyección Escénica
From: Flushing | Dance Genre: Ecuadorian Folklore | Fun Fact: “The formation of the group is complicated because today many people are moving away from the culture while also living in a country other than their own. Added to this is the endless battle with various factors such as vices and technology. | La formación de la agrupacion es complicada ya que hoy en día muchas de las personas están alejándose de la cultura a la ves que están en un país ajeno al suyo, además de ello se suma una interminable batalla con diferentes factores como los vicios y tecnológicos.” | Photo Credit: Jimmy Buestan

4 dancers in gold, black, and white tops dancing with bright yellow and red flag fans — The Kingdom Dance Company
From: Rosedale | Dance Genre: Hip-Hop, Contemporary | Fun Fact: By day, I work as a full-time city worker for the Department of Environmental Protection. By night, I transform into a stage manager for various dance companies and a choreographer for my own dance company. This unique balancing act allows me to nurture my passion for dance, support the local arts community, and make a difference in the city I love! | Photo Credit Robin Michals

4 female dancers moving with arms forward in vibrant pink patterned clothing with African drummers in background — Kofago Dance Ensemble
From: Jamaica | Dance Genre: West African Diaspora | Fun Fact: Our work follows the conventions of dance ritual through African dance techniques. Dance rituals are danced with an intention to heal. This is the beginning of a process that can embrace another person into wholeness, health and well-being through the performance or workshop. | Photo Credit: Jaadyn Rodgers

6 Classical Indian Odissi dancers in marigold and coral traditional clothing with headpieces in various poses — Mala's School of Odissi Dance
From: Forest Hills | Dance Genre: Indian Classical Dance (Odissi) | Fun Fact: A centuries old traditional dance still holds value today as I delve deeper into my dance technique and feel movement as new each time I dance.. It's a new experience each time! | Photo Credit: All Indian Dance Festival 2023

2 Mexican folkloric dancers with large blue and red skirts — Manhatitlan
From: Long Island City | Dance Genre: Mexican Folklore | Fun Fact: Our co-director is the in-house garment designer making many of our custom pieces.

4 dancers in floral dresses in fun poses — NK&D/ a movement company
From: Astoria | Dance Genre: Modern Dance Theater I've been living in this beautiful borough since 2012. I have taught in a public school in Queens; I continue to teach dance in the profit and non-profit sector in Astoria. Now, as a mother, I feel even more connected to Queens, realizing living here gives my children culturally diverse experiences. I love doing this festival and letting my community know that they can come see dance for free! | Photo Credit: Josef Pinlac

2 dancers in colorful indigenous Filipino clothing dancing with large scarves, gong player in background — Kinding Sindaw
From: Jackson Heights | Dance Genre: Indigenous Filipino Folklore | Fun Fact: Learning traditional dance forms, especially those passed down through oral tradition, is not the same as classical training - it requires a deeper appreciation for the arts, and the context behind each of the movements presented | Photo Credit: Robin Michals

Large group of Bolivian caporales female dancers in purple, red, and green sequins outfits, heels, and hats — San Simon Sucre NY
From: Forest Hills | Dance Genre: Bolivian Caporales | Fun Fact: Everyone who meets us thinks we are all Bolivian; however, not all of us are. The dancers are well versed in the history of Caporales, and have danced in the Oruro Carnaval in Bolivia to learn more about Caporales. This surprises many in how much knowledge the dancers have in Bolivian Culture. | Photo Credit: Robin Michals