Parsons Dance is a New York City-based contemporary American dance company, internationally renowned for its energized, athletic ensemble work. Founded in 1985 by Artistic Director David Parsons and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, the company has toured to more than 447 cities, 30 countries, and 5 continents and has appeared at such notable venues as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sydney Opera House, Maison de la Danse, Teatro La Fenice, and Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro.
Parsons Dance performs works selected from the vast and varied repertory of more than 75 works created by David Parsons. The company commissions new dances from established choreographers like Trey McIntyre and Monica Bill Barnes and restages works from the American canon, including works by Robert Battle and Paul Taylor. And, through its GenerationNOW Fellowship, the company offers commissions to young American choreographers whom Parsons mentors through the creative process.
Parsons Dance is committed to providing enriching experiences beyond its performances as it seeks to engage audiences of all ages through education and outreach programs; through post-show discussions, open rehearsals, studio showcases, video workshops, open company classes, summer workshops for pre-professional dancers; and in-school workshops for public school students. The company is especially proud of its Autism-Friendly Programs initiative, launched in 2016, that features sensory-friendly workshops and relaxed performances for audiences of all abilities.
All these activities are driven by the vision of Artistic Director David Parsons, who, for 35 years, has combined his choreographic gifts and talent for training highly skilled dancers with a real passion for the art form.
DANCERS
ZOEY ANDERSON
(Dancer) was born and raised in Utah, where she trained in contemporary, ballet, jazz, and ballroom dance at Center Stage. She was the ballroom national smooth champion in 2010. Zoey graduated cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College in 2015 with a BFA in Ballet under the direction of Katie Langan. She has performed works by Dwight Rhoden, Lar Lubovitch, and Aszure Barton, among others. In 2013, Zoey performed with Nikolais Louis in the Yang Liping International Dance Festival in Kunming, China. Other credits include the Broadway premiere gala of On The Town, the film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Dancing With The Stars webisodes, and Macy's Passport Tour with P. Diddy. Zoey was nominated for the 2018 Outstanding Performer Bessie Award for her sustained achievement in Parsons Dance and is the recipient of the 2019 Clive Barnes Dance Artist Award. Zoey joined the company in 2015.
MEGAN LEIGH GARCIA
(Dancer) began training at Progressions Performing Arts in Spring, TX. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona in 2019 with a BFA in dance and a business administration minor. She was privileged to perform works by Nacho Duato, Martha Graham, Bella Lewitzky, Larry Keigwin, and more. Megan attended intensives at Hubbard Street, Giordano Dance, River North Dance, the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and the Rockettes. After graduation, Megan was offered the role of Rockette in the 2019 Christmas Spectacular. She performed in 102 shows, and was interviewed by TODAY, News 4 New York, and Telemundo. This is Megan's third season with Parsons Dance.
TÉA PÉREZ
(Dancer) is originally from Dallas, TX, where she trained and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA) under the direction of Lily Cabatu Weiss and Kate Walker. Perez moved to New York City in 2017 to attend the Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance Program under the direction of Melanie Person. Pérez graduated in May of 2021 from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program with a BFA in Dance along with a BA in Art History, with a concentration in Contemporary and Modern Art. During her studies, Pérez performed works by Alvin Ailey, Robert Battle, Kyle Abraham, Jessica Lang, Aszure Barton, Lar Lubovich, and Dwight Rhoden, among others. Téa served as an understudy for one season with Parsons Dance, and was promoted to Company Dancer in June 2022.
LUKE ROMANZI
(Dancer), a Brooklyn native, is an alumni dance major of LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. He was most recently the youngest dancer in Rock The Ballet, a contemporary ballet company. While with the company, he toured in Germany, France, and Dubai and was featured on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance and HBO's Random Acts of Flyness. In 2018, he was accepted into the Young Choreographers Festival, held at Symphony Space in New York City, and was designated a YoungArts finalist. This is Luke's second season with Parsons Dance.
JOSEPH CYRANSKI
(Dancer) began dancing at the age of eight in New Baltimore, Missouri, his hometown. After graduating from high school, he went on to study dance at Marymount Manhattan College, where he received his BFA in 2020. Since graduating, Joseph has worked with numerous choreographers such as Earl Mosley, Angelica Stiskin, and Jenn Freeman. He recently performed with Giordano Dance, the Chicago-based dance company, in its fall and spring 60th season appearances with its second company at the Harris Theater. Joseph is elated to be joining Parsons Dance for its 2023-2024 season.
JUSTINE DELIUS
(Dancer) was born and raised in a Paris suburb, where she trained in ballet and jazz before attending the Conservatory National of Paris in 2017. She appeared in Paris with MIXITY, the music hall cabaret sensation. In 2021, Justine arrived in New York to study at The Ailey School. As a student, she performed works by Alvin Ailey, Levi Marsman, Stephanie Lake, Ashley Green and Kameron N. Saunders. This is Justine’s first season with Parsons Dance.
JOANNE HWANG
(Dancer) was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and graduated from Point Park University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Musical Theatre. While at Point Park, she had the honor of working with and performing works by Twyla Tharp, Robyn Mineko Williams, Martha Graham, Norbert De La Cruz III, and others. She has continued to train with such companies as BODYTRAFFIC, Move NYC, and The Pillow Project. This is Joanne’s first season with Parsons Dance.
EMERSON EARNSHAW
(Dancer) was raised in Cedar Hills, Utah, where he trained at the Utah Conservatory of Performing Arts. He continued to train as a member of Brigham Young University’s Contemporary Dance Theatre and at the GibneyPRO Professional Certificate Program. As a student, he performed works by such choreographers as Peter Chu, Ana Maria Lucaciu, Laja Field of LAJAMARTIN, Omar Roman de Jesus, Jesse Obremski, Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, and Cameron McKinney. Emerson is thrilled to join Parsons Dance this season.
LUKE BIDDINGER
(Understudy) was raised in Colorado and began his dance training at Inspirations Dance Company when he was 11 years old. After moving to Pennsylvania at age 14 he trained at Touch of Class Dance Studio. Since locating to NYC, he has continued to study at Steps on Broadway, Kanyok Arts Initiative, and the New York City Dance Alliance, which honored him as its National Teen Outstanding Dancer in 2021.