The Dance News of Note You Might Have Missed in March 2022

Here are the latest promotions, appointments and departures, as well as notable awards and accomplishments, from March 2022. Also of note: new or newly available funding opportunities for dance artists.

Comings & Goings

Former Bolshoi Ballet principal Olga Smirnova and Mariinsky Ballet soloist Victor Caixeta have joined Dutch National Ballet.

At Birmingham Royal Ballet, Miki Mizutani and Yaoqian Shang have been promoted to principal.

At Ballet San Antonio, Andrea Huynh, Brenna Mulligan and Benjamin Rose have been promoted to soloist.

Lauren Lovette has been named resident choreographer of Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber have been named artists-in-residence at LA Dance Project, a two-year appointment commencing in August.

New York Theater Ballet founding artistic director Diana Byer will step down following the company’s spring performances, May 4–8. She will continue as director of the School of New York Theater Ballet.

Ja’Malik has been named artistic director of Madison Ballet, effective in July.

Island Moving Company associate artistic director Danielle Genest will succeed finding artistic director Miki Ohlsen on September 1, following Ohlsen’s retirement.

Danielle St.Germain-Gordon has been appointed executive director at San Francisco Ballet, where she’s served as interim executive director since June 2021.

Shell Parkins has been named dance education scholar-in-residence at Ballet Hispánico.

At Signature Theater, Ethan Heard has been named associate artistic director, Anika Chapin director of artist development.

Awards & Honors

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is the recipient of the 2022 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award, which includes an unrestricted $25,000 prize.

Ariana DeBose won a BAFTA Film Award, Critics’ Choice Award, and Academy Award for her portrayal of Anita in West Side Storyadding to her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards wins, among others.

The 2022 New York State Choreographers Initiative Awardsees are Sukanya Burman, Laurie McFarlane, Aimee Real, Solange Rodrigues, Kym McDaniel, Indira White, Alison Clancy, Dan Safer, Sophie Bortolussi, Nancy Brier, Guanglei Hui and Adam Weinert. Each will receive a $2,500 stipend and mentorship access.

Boaz “Statix” Deceus, Miranda Lawson, Sandra “Sasi” Marcelino, Kendall Niblett and Ronnie Terrell Thomas have been named Urbanity X resident artists, which includes a $1,000 stipend.

New Funding Opportunity

Applications for the 2022 Coronavirus Relief Fund: New York State Edition for individual dancemakers are now being accepted. Dance/NYC plans to award $150,000 to 100 individual dancers, performers and choreographers based in New York State. Applications are open until April 20, though they may be closed sooner if more than 1,500 applications are received. More information here. Applications for small-budget dance organizations will open in April.