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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.

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Callie Hocter trained at Jody Phillips Dance Company in Kansas City before moving on to study dance with a concentration in Jazz at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. While at school, she was privileged to perform in many choreographic works including pieces by Ronen Koresh, Larry Keigwin, James Gregg, Jim Cooney, Adam Hougland, Mark Burrell, and Kiesha Lalama. Along with performances at school, Callie has danced back up for Weird Al Yankovic at the Benedum Center and at Hershey Park's Music Box Theatre where she was able to work with Broadway's own, Chip Abbott. Callie joined Koresh Dance Company in 2018.

Devon Larcher has been dancing since the age of 10, training in all styles of dance. In his early years, Devon was trained as a television and movie actor through the program A.C.T. in Providence Rhode Island, where he grew up. Along with this program, Devon had the opportunity to attend the Jacqueline M Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts and continued his training at Shannon O’ Brien School of Dance. During the start of his professional career Devon traveled internationally to Hengshui, China for their Inaugural Arts Festival.

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Filipino American artist Kevin Pajarillaga is most curious about the process of sharing the lived experiences of the body through time and space fused with a little bit of fantasy and imagination. Pajarillaga has performed with artist Doja Cat at MTV VMAs (2021), Banana Republic’s “Art of Work campaign,” GAP’s 2018 spring campaign “Experiment in Color,” Celia Rowlson-Hall’s short film “First Snow” featured on NOWNESS and Times Square Arts’ “Midnight Moment,” and “SPACE END” by Wilder Yari and Maddy Talias.

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Mio Ishikawa (she/her) is a Japanese dance artist based in New York City who works collaboratively across multiple artistic mediums. She is a recent recipient of 2023-2024 Center for Ballet Art NYU Juilliard Fellowship in support of her upcoming creation. Her works have been presented at High Line Nine Gallery in Chelsea, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, New World Symphony in Miami. Ishikawa choreographed and directed the movements for photographers Tatyana Nagayeva, Olga Rabetskaya and Robert and Shana PerkeHarrison. She is an associate director of a bicoastal dance platform BODYSONNET.

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Adji Cissoko was born and grew up in Munich, Germany where she trained at the Ballet Academy Munich and graduated with a diploma in dance. Cissoko attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City on full scholarship, before joining the National Ballet of Canada in 2010. In 2012 she was awarded the Patron Award of Merit by the Patrons’ Council Committee of The National Ballet of Canada. Cissoko joined LINES Ballet in 2014.

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“Dance is, and will always be, an instrumental part of my life. This complex yet liberating art form is one that I hope can inspire and impact those who witness it. In the future, I hope to earn a degree in dance and eventually join a contemporary company.“

"She hopes that those who watch her perform discover an opportunity to dance for themselves. In the future, it would be a joy to experience being in a Broadway performance, but in the long term, she aspires to join a professional dance company."

"I hope to be a part of the future of dance and to incorporate everything I've learned at CityDance as I continue to move towards a career in the professional ballet world. I continue to grow in my artistry through the mentorship I've received at CityDance and the levels of creativity I've been exposed to. I am growing into the dancer I am today with the endless support and guidance that CityDance has shown me."

“My journey through the world of dance began when I was just 8 years old. It's been a constant source of inspiration for me and it allowed me to find my voice. I firmly believe in its ability to bring about profound transformation. My goal is to harness the power of dance to shift perspectives, elevate moods, challenge entrenched beliefs, and ultimately contribute to a more enlightened world.”

“In the future, I hope to intertwine my passion for social justice with dance to seek out a broader community of driven, talented dancers who collaboratively create meaningful choreography, indulge in diverse dance styles, and utilize dance as a vehicle for social progress and education that will change the future to advance human society.”

“Dance training is important to me because I have learned so much from my teachers and because it helped me to get better at my ballet technique. Dance is important to me because it gives me freedom to use my emotions through movement. I hope whoever will watch me dance will become inspired and feel the emotions. My future aspirations in dance is to join a ballet company and become a principal ballerina.”

“Dance is a way to express myself through movement and artistic expression. My dance training allows me to build on my technique and explore new genres and styles from different choreographers and teachers. I hope my dance inspires others to find their own way to demonstrate their passion. In the future I aspire to keep building my skills and continue my training and performing.“

"I see myself as a part of “The Future of Dance Art” by pushing my creative boundaries, collaborating with my peers, and exploring the intersection of many different dance styles to create art."

“Dance has brought me endless inspiration, from my instructors, to my peers, to the ideas of what is infinitely possible. I hope I can inspire others the way so many of my instructors and peers have inspired me.“

“Dance has been something that has and will always be a part of who I am. I hope that dance allows others to tap into inner thoughts and feelings, and invoke enough emotion for people to want to explore them further. As the world moves toward becoming more open to mental health, I hope to incorporate my passion for dance into the study of psychology.“

"I hope that my pursuit of dance will inspire others to realize and to follow their passions, as well as to cultivate within them an everlasting love for performance arts. I intend to continue my dance journey in college, as well as continue to apply the invaluable lessons dance has taught me throughout all sectors of my life."

“I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. Dance has pushed me to be a stronger version of myself physically and mentally. When performing, I feel creative and confident. This is my second year performing at The Kennedy Center. I am grateful to share this special opportunity with dancers that I admire at CityDance.”

"Dance for me has been the thing that holds my life together. It is a constant in my life that always makes sense to me. Through dancing and teaching dance, I hope to share the feeling of comfort that I find when I dance. In the future I hope to dance professionally and continue to spread the love and joy of the art."

“I love the feeling of dancing and being on stage because of the pure happiness it brings me. It is really rewarding when I see all the hard work and hours of training pay off. My hope is that my dance also instills a sense of joy in others.”

“I hope that my dance is able to inspire others to feel the way I feel and to experience the story telling behind each and every dance. In the future, I hope to be a choreographer and dance teacher so that I can encourage the next generation to engage in dance as a healthy form of emotional expression.”

"Dance is my passion. The future of dance art means continuing to train and grow as an artist and share my love of dance expression with the world – a language without words and a story without pages.”

“Through dance, I have found my own passion, and my own dreams. In the future, I would like to be the person that inspires those dreams in others, just like so many have done for me. Next year, I will be studying dance in college, and I hope to become a choreographer and performer in the near future.”

“Dance is a place for me to create, explore, and cultivate passion. I love the challenges that dance presents me with and the environment in a dance studio. In my future, I hope to continue having dance in my life, and work as a performing artist and choreographer.”

"Dance is important to me because it is a communal language that has the ability to impact and connect people around the world. I hope that my dance will inspire people to continue to believe in the development of the art form.”

“Through dance, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures. Recently by becoming a Teacher's Assistant, I’ve gotten to share my love of dance with young children, working to foster a love of dance that CityDance has instilled in me.”

"I strive to be a leader in the field. Over time, creating in dance helped me gain my individuality, and I hope to share that process with others."

“Dance has always been a part of my life and I value it because it keeps me active and disciplined. Through my performance, I want my audience to feel a sense of emotional vulnerability that they otherwise may find uncomfortable and be free to feel however they want. When it comes to my future, I want to continue my training and pursue professional work, such as a company.”

"Dance has always been my passion, from watching Barbie ballet movies as a little girl to performing on CityDance’s stage. It is a way for me to express my thoughts and emotions without saying a word. In its many shapes and forms, dance has always moved me, and I hope to touch the souls of others someday as I perform in the professional world.”

"I have committed myself to dance since I was 4 years old and it has become one of the biggest parts of my life. I enjoy the reward of training every single day and seeing the results while also gaining confidence in myself. I hope that the emotions I feel while I dance are conveyed to the audience so they can feel something as well. My goal is to continue dancing throughout high school and college and in doing so reach my fullest potential.”

"There is no greater source of joy for me than dance. It enriches every part of my life and I hope to express this joy to my audience alongside me. I do not know what the future holds for me in dance, but I’m embracing each step of my unknown journey as it unfolds.”

“Since the age of 3, dance has mattered more to me than anything in my life. Over the course of my life, my aspirations of becoming a professional ballerina have never changed. Ultimately, dance has aided me tremendously in dealing with the complexities of my life and has served as my main source of support, guidance, and stability.”

“For me, dance is a creative outlet that allows me to express myself without judgment, and be able to explore movement pushes the boundaries of how I can create, explore and share stories and emotions through movement. I hope that my dance can allow people to embark on the same creative journey that I am on.”

“Dance is the most beautiful form of self expression. I feel so much joy when I'm dancing, and I hope that my happiness flows out of me and onto others. My career goal is to combine my passions for dance and acting, so hopefully you'll see me doing both in the movies or on TV one day!”

“Training at CityDance has supported the development of my self-discipline, confidence, and creativity. I find that dance is a great way for me to express myself and helps me reduce stress. I will be attending Georgetown University in the fall, where a club culture will enable me to continue dance through participation in one of their many dance clubs.”

“Dance has taught me to harness my creativity, stay disciplined, persevere, and work successfully with others. In the future, I hope to pursue dance in college and be able to work professionally in the dance industry. I look forward to continuing my dance journey and growing not only as an artist but as a person.”

"Artists have the means and responsibility to use their skills and art forms to expose, examine, and address individual and societal challenges. Next year as a dance and psychology double major and Stamps Eminence Scholar at The Ohio State University, I am excited to build greater cultural literacy through the practice of and theoretical inquiry into Western and non-Western dance forms while becoming a more effective dance changemaker.”

"Dance is an important outlet for my emotions and personal explorations. I hope that my self expression through dance resonates with others. I hope to continue my dance journey throughout high school.”

"Dance creates a space that allows me to explore who I am fully. It will always be a part of my identity and an instrument to express myself.”

“Dance is a creative outlet that has gotten me through some of the most challenging parts of my life. I hope that dance continues to be a grounding and rejuvenating experience for everyone involved in the process. I aspire to continue dancing in college and spread my love for this art form.”

“I hope that my dancing inspires others to be bold, to take risks, and to emanate kindness. In the future, I plan to continue dancing in college and perhaps become a member of a contemporary/modern dance company. I hope to always have dance in my life.”

"I see myself as an innovator. As I embark on my journey toward adulthood, I see myself dancing, choreographing, and innovating the dance concepts of the new generation.”

“Through dance, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures. Recently by becoming a Teacher's Assistant, I’ve gotten to share my love of dance with young children, working to foster a love of dance that CityDance has instilled in me.”

“The performance aspect of dance has always been my favorite part. When I leave the stage, my hope is that someone in the audience was truly moved as I strive to convey the story behind the movements. I hope that one day my dancing inspires others to pursue their dreams and never give up!”

“Skye Sibrian, a seasoned conservatory dancer, began her journey at CityDance at age four.. She's completing her gap year with a professional certification in Choreography through Dance ICONS. Skye plans to pursue a double degree in dance performance and broadcast journalism to merge her artistic and journalistic passions to empower minority teens to pursue their dance dreams.”

"Dance is as much about the process as the product. The eternity of dance is one large canvas that endless artists constantly paint upon, and I’m happy to be part of that creation. Every dancer is unique, and I want to share what is special about me with every audience I perform in front of.”

“Dance is an escape from the stressful aspects of life and a place where I can be myself. Not only is it a freedom, but also a way to tell a story and advocate for issues that matter to me. I want to use my art to make a difference in the world.”

“Through dance and its rigorous training, I’ve been able to learn more about myself and find joy in movement. It has allowed me to make so many meaningful connections with fellow dancers and instructors. Dance has inspired me to find my own unique rhythm. I hope I can inspire others to embrace their specific quality of movement and to share the beauty of dance.”