The Next Stage Project (TNSP) presents:
A Fundraiser Performance for MIHO RYU
All donations go towards the support of artist Miho Ryu in her fight against breast cancer.
We dance to support our friend and colleague Miho Ryu. As many of you know, she is currently on a challenging journey toward recovery, with the goal of returning to her vibrant life as an artist here in New York City.
We are coming together to stand with Miho during this pivotal time. Your support, in whatever form it may take, will go a long way in helping her navigate this process and regain her place in our creative community. We are committed to ensuring she has the resources and encouragement needed to focus fully on her healing.
FRIDAY JUNE 12th at 8pm
PERIDANCE CENTER STUDIO 1
126 E 13th Street
Suggested donation $25 or more
All donations go towards the support of artist Miho Ryu in her fight against breast cancer
Works by:
The Next Stage Project / MIHO RYU / Kaori Hiwasa / Mayu Nakaya /
Larga Vista Dance / Sara Pizzi / Vive and Company / Miguel Zapico
Produced by: The Next Stage project / Marijke Eliasberg & Jana Hicks
Lights & Sound: Marijke Eliasberg & Jana Hicks
Videography: Becca Vision Creative Team & Hwajin Kim
This performance would not be possible without the support of:
PERIDANCE CENTER / Igal Perry, Carissa & Ariel
ALL THE CHOREOGRAPHERS and DANCERS!
Miguel Zapico
Sam Yee
Beccavision Creative Team / Sara Pizzi and Soho Su
New York Live Arts / Teatro Circulo / IATI Theater / Center for Creativity and Dance
THE NEXT STAGE PROJECT is a fiscally sponsored member of New York Live Arts, Inc., a non-profit tax-exempt organization. If you want to make a tax deductible financial donation go to our website https://www.thenextstageproject.com or: https://newyorklivearts.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n3q00000WXTjsAAH ✨
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for MIHO RYU:
Warrior
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Marijke Eliasberg, Sarah Golzari, Hyun Ji Jeon, Falls Kennedy, Hwajin Kim, Margaret Knowles, Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, Sara Pizzi, Caroline Vanstrom, Tristan Walsh
Music: Zelwer
Together
Choreographer: Kaori Hiwasa
Dancers: Kaori Hiwasa, Hiroko Uchino
Music: "Together" by Sia
"In this piece, we combine dance and sign language as a form of expression."
Flow
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Sara LaPadula, Chris LaFleche, Yoojin Lee, Caroline Vanstrom
Music: "Cantus honoring Britten" by Arvo Part
To speak of solitude
Choreographer and Dancer: Sara Pizzi
Live Music by Miguel Zapico
Too Too
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula
Music: "You're Just Too Too" by Cole Porter sung by Gene Kelly and Kay Kendall
The Voice Within (words by Miho Ryu, read by Adelita Hinojosa-Martin)
Company: Larga Vista Dance
Choreography: Adelita Hinojosa-Martin, with dancers' improvisation
Dancers: Lana Hankinson, Adelita Hinojosa-Martin
Music: "Breaking the Cycle," by Keith Merrill"; "She is the Earth," by Etelea.
Thank you TNSP for inviting us to take part in this special event. It's an honor to be here. Sending healing prayers to you Miho!
Teardrop on the Fire
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Hyun Ji Jeon, Falls Kennedy, Hwajin Kim, Margaret Knowles, Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, Sara Pizzi, Caroline Vanstrom, Tristan Walsh
Music: "Concerto no. 2 in G minor, op. 8, RV 315 "L'estate": III. Tempo impetuoso d'Estate" by Antonio Vivaldi, Girl in the Year Above covering "Teardrop" from Massive Attack
Dust
Company: Vive and Company
Choreography: Vivake Khamsingsavath
Dancers: Vive & Hon Rui
Music: “Chukhung” by Biosphere
The Rose
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Hyun Ji Jeon, Falls Kennedy, Hwajin Kim, Margaret Knowles, Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, Sara Pizzi, Caroline Vanstrom, Tristan Walsh and Miguel Zapico
Music: "Aloo Gobi" by Neotropic
Between Frequencies II: The Listening
Company: MNiverse
Choreography: Mayu Nakaya
Dancers: Ian Debono, Mayu Nakaya
Music: “Soyokaze Ga Narasu Nanbu Furin” by by Victor Sound Effect Team, Voodom Your Ex by Simple Symmetry, "Sit Around The Fire" by Jon Hopkins, Raw Dass, East Forest
Lighthouse
Choreography: Miho Ryu
Rehearsal Director: Sara LaPadula
Dancers: Gabriella Alleyne, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, and Adalynn Taylor
Music: "Hekireki (霹靂)" by KODO and "Ashibi" by Tetsu Saito
Lighthouse was presented as part of The Next Stage Project's Finding Light, Green Space TAKEROOT, and Peridance Center's Peridance Presents. The work was supported by the LEIMAY Incubator Program, Blanca Huertas, Ballet Hispánico School, The Next Stage Project and a community of supporters across the globe.
_________
Choreographers / Artists
MIHO RYU is a New York based Dancer, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist, originally from Tokyo, Japan. She holds BA in Drama from Waseda University and received Best Dance Choreography Award from Oniros Film Awards® in 2018. Miho has choreographed and performed more than 100 works including of live performances, films, music videos, andinteractive installations, across the continents: Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and the US. After 2 decades of professional experience based in Japan, Miho moved back to New York in 2024, the land where she studied dance from 1999-2004. Miho has been presented her works at WestFest Top Floor at Martha Graham Studio Theater, Inter-grant Festival at Arts On Site, Recess in Chez Bushwick, Crossing Boundaries in Dixon place, Eco Arts Festival at Governors Island, At Capacity /AOCC by Movement Research at BAX, Chain Theatre, Firehouse Theater(VA), and Asia Tri Jogja in Indonesia. Miho has performed work by Laura Peterson, Collen Thomas, Mizuho Kappa and Yin Mei. She is currently teaching contemporary class at Peridance Center, Ballet Hispanico School and Steps on Broadway.
MARIJKE ELIASBERG, native of the Netherlands, Founder and Co-Artistic Director of The Next Stage Project (TNSP), has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for the past 27 years in New York City. In 2001 Marijke founded the global dance collective: The Next Stage Project (TNSP), which she co-directs with Jana Hicks. With TNSP, she travels around the world, teaching, creating, mentoring and making exchange and performance projects possible. In NYC, Marijke currently teaches modern contemporary classes at Peridance Center and has taught at Gibney, Ballet Arts, Now Yoga, Steps on Broadway, Dance Space, Dance New Amsterdam, Dancewave, Broadway Dance Center, FSU in NYC Master Program, and Improvisation & Composition classes at the Joffrey Ballet School. She has taught and created works in the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, France, Japan, and India. As a performer, she has worked with numerous companies and choreographers including Jana Hicks, Pauline Levick, Nita Liem/Don’t Hit Mama, Guido Tuveri, SunHwa Chung, Jenni Hong, Max Stone, and Kevin Wynn among others. Marijke holds a BFA in physical education with a specialization in dance. She continued her modern dance studies at the Rotterdam Dance Academy (Codarts) in The Netherlands and Dance Space Inc in NYC. Her continuing education, which includes studying extensively Tai Chi Chuan with Chinese Great Grandmaster William C. C. Chen in NYC refining his short form, long form, sword form and push-hands. GGM Chen recently awarded her with the Title of Master teacher. https://www.thenextstageproject.com
KAORI HIWASA is a New York-based dancer, choreographer, and educator from Japan. Her performance credits include a New York immersive musical production, Avalona, A Musical Legend, television appearances, music videos, and live theatrical works in both the United States and Japan. She is a member of Ellenore Scott’s dance company and has collaborated on a range of commercial and theatrical projects. Kaori is also the creator of an award-winning dance film selected for international film festivals. She continues to develop her career as an artist, performer and educator based in New York City.
MAYU NAKAYA (she/her) is a New York-based contemporary dance artist from Japan. She has worked with Obremski/Works, Drye Marinaro Dance Company, Helen Simoneau Danse, SAXYN Dance Works, Li Chiao-Ping Dance (Wisconsin), Rogue Wave with Catherine Messina, Six Degrees Dance, One Day Dance, sarAika Movement Collective, Faustine Lavie Dance Project, iKADA Contemporary Dance Company, Yoshito Sakuraba, and Kanon Sugino.
Her artistic foundation includes ballet, piano, swimming, capoeira, and gymnastics. She developed her dance technique and creative voice at Tokyo Metropolitan High School of the Arts and the University of Tsukuba, studying under Kaori Kagaya and Kazuyuki Futami in Japan, and later at The Ailey School in New York (2019–2021). From 2016 to 2019, she presented her choreographic works at competitions throughout Japan and South Korea, receiving several awards as both a dancer and choreographer. Since relocating to New York in 2019, her choreographic works have been presented at festivals and performance venues across New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Japan. She is drawn to contemporary dance as a live art form that transcends boundaries of language, culture, nationality, race, and gender through embodied expression. Through shared experiences created between performers and audiences, she seeks to cultivate moments of empathy, connection, and genuine human understanding. Driven by a desire to share the transformative power of contemporary dance and to offer healing, reflection, and encouragement through her work, Mayu founded MNiverse, a creative platform dedicated to artistic exploration, collaboration, and ongoing creative challenges. Through MNiverse, she continues to create opportunities for meaningful connection and artistic growth.
ADELITA HINOJOSA-MARTIN, a native of Denton, Texas, is a Brooklyn-based choreographer, dancer, and registered nurse whose work sits at the urgent intersection of contemporary movement and public health. As the Artistic Director and Choreographer of LARGA VISTA DANCE, she is dedicated to her mission of "empowering women through art & healthcare education." Adelita holds a B.S. in Nursing and has spent nearly two decades as a certified oncology nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in neurology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. This extensive medical background inherently shapes her experimental choreographic process, where she translates clinical data, evidence-based research, and patient testimonies into a visceral, contemporary movement aesthetic designed to inspire women to reclaim their bodily autonomy and put their health first. Having flourished in the NYC dance community since 2005, Adelita’s rich movement background spans contemporary, contemporary jazz, ballet, and Latin jazz. A passionate educator, Adelita has taught at the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz & Contemporary Summer Intensive, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance. She has also collaborated with renowned industry talents, including Emmy Award-nominee Brian Thomas and Tony Award-winning associate choreographer Maija Garcia (FELA!). Grounded in her multifaceted roles, Adelita’s newest work breaks traditional performance boundaries. By utilizing cross-sector collaborations with medical experts and elevating patient stories, she transforms sterile medical knowledge into accessible, emotionally resonant, and creatively empowering art. Bridging the gap between clinical healthcare and avant-garde performance, Adelita turns the stage into a powerful catalyst for wellness, inspiring women to take hold of their health journeys and spark a lasting cultural shift.
SARA PIZZI is an Italian dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher in New York City. She graduated from Steps on Broadway and Peridance Certificate programs in 2020. Sara performs with several esteemed dance companies, including The Next Stage Project, Kaleid Collective, Six Degrees, FLDP and more. She is also the co-founder of the sarAika Movement Collective. Sara has graced notable stages such as Lincoln Center, City Center, Mark Morris, and NYLA, and has been featured on the Times Square billboard. Her work was first commissioned in 2021, culminating in her debut evening-length performance, a European-Japan tour in 2023, and she received her first choreographic residency in 2024. As a dedicated educator, Sara teaches at Dalton School and for the "Hands are for Holding" program by Gibney. Additionally, she works as an associate photographer and videographer for BECCAVISION and curator committee for Dance Parade.
VIVE AND COMPANY - VIVAKE KHAMSINGSAVATH is a Laotian American artist based in NYC. His mission in dance is to empower and connect people through expression of movement. He has been able to offer his Flow methodology across Universities, Conservatories in the states and over 22 countries. He is passionate about community and supporting the arts.
MIGUEL ZAPICO - Guest Movement and Sound Artist was born and raised in Spain. He came to New York for the best of reasons, Michelle, 20 years ago. He works 9 to 5 in the corporate world, and plays at unscheduled hours in the real world. He strums several strings instruments, which is at odds with his passion for NY handball. These days you can find him entertaining crowds every month with the Gladiators NYC, or joining the Xavier players every Sunday evening. He loves performing with The Next Stage Project, every time finding new ways of expression.
Meet the performance artists:
Amy (Campbell) Aquilina dances, performs, choreographs, teaches, produces, and makes work for the stage, nightlife, musicians, and anyone else who will let her put on a show. She has a BFA in dance and choreography from The Ohio State University. Approaching 2 decades in NYC, she has taught and choreographed for many dancers, collaborated with multiple modern and dance theatre companies, performed in numerous venues, and in music videos, live events, and variety shows. Her personal work is under the moniker, Crooked Mouth, and she currently dances and serves as rehearsal director for Inclined Dance Project. Amy is thrilled to be joining this show and so grateful to Marijke and the talented dancers of TNSP for welcoming her.
Ian Debono, originally from San Francisco, is a dancer with The Limón Dance Company and The Metropolitan Opera. In 2023, he graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance under the direction of Alicia Graf Mack. While there, he had the pleasure of performing works by Ohad Naharin, Medhi Walerski, Paul Singh, Amy Hall Garner, Norbert De La Cruz III, Spenser Theberge, and Jermaine Spivey, among others.
Hyun Ji Jeon Originally from South Korea, Hyun Ji Jeon is a New York-based dancer, choreographer, and dance educator specializing in modern and contemporary dance. She holds an MA in Dance from Temple University and completed the Two-Year Certificate Program at Peridance. Her choreographic works have been presented at the Triad Theater and the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater. As a passionate educator, she teaches a diverse range of styles, including ballet, contemporary, and K-pop. As a professional performer, Hyun Ji actively works with The Dynasties, The Next Stage Project, and Danse En L'air
Sarah Golzari is from Charleston, South Carolina where she began training classical ballet at Dance Conservatory of Charleston. She earned her degree in French Language with a minor in Dance from Winthrop University in 2020. She then spent a year teaching English in France, where she also trained with Ballet Prejocaj in contemporary and ballet styles. Sarah moved to New York in 2021 and enjoys taking classes at Peridance, Steps on Broadway, and Ballet Arts Center. Outside of her dance career, Sarah is a guitarist and vocalist for the indie rock band Onfilm.
Lana Hankinson Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Ms. Lana Hankinson is a freelance performing artist currently based out of New York City. She is a graduate of Adelphi University and holds a BFA in Dance, and is also a Dance Equity Association and ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensives in Pre-Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Falls Kennedy is one lucky, long-legged lady who grew up in Savannah, GA, attended Barnard College, and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. She is grateful to Marijke and the cast! Falls loves creating dances of her own and performing the work of others. For more information, please visit fallskennedy.com.
Hwajin Kim is from South Korea and moved to New York in 2015. She worked with ZIT dance company, Lee.K dance company, Jo Seong-eun, Megumi Horiochi, and TNSP (The Next Stage Project). Recently, she is interested in the connection between her body and mind and is still loving dancing.
Margaret Knowles was born in Nashville, TN and came to New York for college at New York University, where she studied Contemporary Art and Critical Theory. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and is grateful every day for the joy that dance brings her. She began taking class with Jana Hicks and Marijke Eliasberg at a recommendation from one of her dance teachers, and she immediately fell in love with their styles. She is thrilled and honored to be performing with The Next Stage Project.
Chris LaFleche has been on the faculty of Joffrey Ballet School’s Youth program since 2016. He has performed with both The Next Stage Project and Periapsis Music and Dance. Prior to relocating to New York, he served on the faculties of The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and the Hartt School Community Division. He performed with Full Force Dance Theatre (Katie Stevinson-Nollet), Sonia Plumb Dance Company, and as a guest artist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra through Pier Group Dance (Stephen Pier). Chris holds a BFA in Ballet Pedagogy from The Hartt School. In addition to teaching dance, he also teaches Pilates privately throughout NYC.
Sara LaPadula is a dance artist and educator from Westchester, New York. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2021, earning her BFA in Dance. Following graduation, Sara joined the Limón Dance Company as a member of its second company.Sara is currently a full-time dance educator, teaching students ages 13–18 at a public charter school in New York City. Beyond her work in dance, Sara is a certified personal trainer and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). Over the past year, she has performed in new works by Marijke Eliasberg (The Next Stage Project), Miho Ryu, and Rebecca Lloyd Jones. Sara is deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such inspiring artists and is honored to continue working with Marijke once again.
Yoojin Lee is a contemporary dancer from South Korea. She received her B.A. in Contemporary Dance from Sungkyunkwan University. Through movement, she strives to create work that leaves audiences feeling joyful and at ease. Currently based in New York, she is training and performing through the Peridance Program, collaborating with choreographers and participating in various performance projects. She is dedicated to developing a nuanced movement language and contributing to meaningful artistic experiences for both performers and audiences.
Chauncey Pauley, named after her grandfather, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Elon University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Based in New York City, she has danced with Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, Ariel Rivka Dance, ToUch Events under Elizabeth McGuire, Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and Disagreeable Creatures (Danita Shaheen). She appeared in Paradise Interrupted at Lincoln Center and in the Off-Broadway production My First Nutcracker with New York City Children’s Theater, directed and choreographed by Kristen Brooks Sandler. Chauncey currently dances with The Next Stage Project, Danse En L’air, and with Miho Ryu.
Hon Rui is a Singapore-born contemporary dancer with 10 years of experience. As a member of crew HRCY, he draws from street styles to shape a movement language that is distinctly his own. Competing internationally, he has placed 3rd at GJJK Japan 2026, 5th at Summerjam 2025, and 11th at WOD Summit 2024. For Hon Rui, dance is a reflection of lived experience — the highs, the lows, the in-between — abstracted into movement and brought to life on stage.
Hiroko Uchino moved to NY in 2009, she went to Steps on Broadway for 3 years to continue training as an International dance student. After her professional career such as National tour for The King and I, Dance team of NY Lizards for Major League Lacrosse,Music Video of “Hello” from Above and Beyond, “Fresh Prince of Belaire” from Dave East and Rick Ross. She now is a mother of a daughter. She’s been building a career as a professional mom.
Caroline Vanstrom is originally from Roswell, GA where she grew up dancing with the studio Roswell City Dance competing both regionally and nationally from age 5-18, including professional performances at the Capezio ACE Awards in NY, the Joyce Theater in NY and 7 Stages in Atlanta all with choreographer Cherrise Wakeham. She graduated with a BA from USC in Los Angeles and currently works as a producer in film and television when she’s not dancing. After moving to NY in late 2021, she was thrilled to find Marijke's class and is excited to be apart of her second show with The Next Stage Project with this incredible group of dancers!
Tristan Walsh (He/Him) is a New York-based dance performer, choreographer, and educator originally from North Carolina. He began his dance education at 16 and later pursued a career in dance, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2023. Upon moving to New York directly after graduation, Tristan joined the Sonia Plumb Dance Company for their summer performance tour of the north east. Now, he is currently in his fourth season with the Next Stage Project. Tristan has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Gerri Houlihan, Janet Lily, B.J. Sullivan, George Staib, Marijke Eliasberg, Sonia Plumb, and Helen Simoneau. He has also honed his craft in site-specific performance, touring the Amalfi Coast in Italy with the Staib Dance Summer Dance Intensive in Sorrento and the b12 summer dance intensive in Berlin, Germany. Most recently, Tristan just completed a choreographic residency with the AFFEKT Dance company as guest choreographer for his piece “circling the drain” this work explores human greed and societal consumption. Finding the same system that supports us also has a part in our collapse. You can follow his movement journey on Instagram @wal.tristan
A Fundraiser Performance for MIHO RYU
All donations go towards the support of artist Miho Ryu in her fight against breast cancer.
We dance to support our friend and colleague Miho Ryu. As many of you know, she is currently on a challenging journey toward recovery, with the goal of returning to her vibrant life as an artist here in New York City.
We are coming together to stand with Miho during this pivotal time. Your support, in whatever form it may take, will go a long way in helping her navigate this process and regain her place in our creative community. We are committed to ensuring she has the resources and encouragement needed to focus fully on her healing.
FRIDAY JUNE 12th at 8pm
PERIDANCE CENTER STUDIO 1
126 E 13th Street
Suggested donation $25 or more
All donations go towards the support of artist Miho Ryu in her fight against breast cancer
Works by:
The Next Stage Project / MIHO RYU / Kaori Hiwasa / Mayu Nakaya /
Larga Vista Dance / Sara Pizzi / Vive and Company / Miguel Zapico
Produced by: The Next Stage project / Marijke Eliasberg & Jana Hicks
Lights & Sound: Marijke Eliasberg & Jana Hicks
Videography: Becca Vision Creative Team & Hwajin Kim
This performance would not be possible without the support of:
PERIDANCE CENTER / Igal Perry, Carissa & Ariel
ALL THE CHOREOGRAPHERS and DANCERS!
Miguel Zapico
Sam Yee
Beccavision Creative Team / Sara Pizzi and Soho Su
New York Live Arts / Teatro Circulo / IATI Theater / Center for Creativity and Dance
THE NEXT STAGE PROJECT is a fiscally sponsored member of New York Live Arts, Inc., a non-profit tax-exempt organization. If you want to make a tax deductible financial donation go to our website https://www.thenextstageproject.com or: https://newyorklivearts.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n3q00000WXTjsAAH ✨
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for MIHO RYU:
Warrior
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Marijke Eliasberg, Sarah Golzari, Hyun Ji Jeon, Falls Kennedy, Hwajin Kim, Margaret Knowles, Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, Sara Pizzi, Caroline Vanstrom, Tristan Walsh
Music: Zelwer
Together
Choreographer: Kaori Hiwasa
Dancers: Kaori Hiwasa, Hiroko Uchino
Music: "Together" by Sia
"In this piece, we combine dance and sign language as a form of expression."
Flow
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Sara LaPadula, Chris LaFleche, Yoojin Lee, Caroline Vanstrom
Music: "Cantus honoring Britten" by Arvo Part
To speak of solitude
Choreographer and Dancer: Sara Pizzi
Live Music by Miguel Zapico
Too Too
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula
Music: "You're Just Too Too" by Cole Porter sung by Gene Kelly and Kay Kendall
The Voice Within (words by Miho Ryu, read by Adelita Hinojosa-Martin)
Company: Larga Vista Dance
Choreography: Adelita Hinojosa-Martin, with dancers' improvisation
Dancers: Lana Hankinson, Adelita Hinojosa-Martin
Music: "Breaking the Cycle," by Keith Merrill"; "She is the Earth," by Etelea.
Thank you TNSP for inviting us to take part in this special event. It's an honor to be here. Sending healing prayers to you Miho!
Teardrop on the Fire
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Hyun Ji Jeon, Falls Kennedy, Hwajin Kim, Margaret Knowles, Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, Sara Pizzi, Caroline Vanstrom, Tristan Walsh
Music: "Concerto no. 2 in G minor, op. 8, RV 315 "L'estate": III. Tempo impetuoso d'Estate" by Antonio Vivaldi, Girl in the Year Above covering "Teardrop" from Massive Attack
Dust
Company: Vive and Company
Choreography: Vivake Khamsingsavath
Dancers: Vive & Hon Rui
Music: “Chukhung” by Biosphere
The Rose
Company: The Next Stage Project
Choreography: Marijke Eliasberg in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Amy Aquilina, Hyun Ji Jeon, Falls Kennedy, Hwajin Kim, Margaret Knowles, Chris LaFleche, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, Sara Pizzi, Caroline Vanstrom, Tristan Walsh and Miguel Zapico
Music: "Aloo Gobi" by Neotropic
Between Frequencies II: The Listening
Company: MNiverse
Choreography: Mayu Nakaya
Dancers: Ian Debono, Mayu Nakaya
Music: “Soyokaze Ga Narasu Nanbu Furin” by by Victor Sound Effect Team, Voodom Your Ex by Simple Symmetry, "Sit Around The Fire" by Jon Hopkins, Raw Dass, East Forest
Lighthouse
Choreography: Miho Ryu
Rehearsal Director: Sara LaPadula
Dancers: Gabriella Alleyne, Sara LaPadula, Yoojin Lee, Chauncey Pauley, and Adalynn Taylor
Music: "Hekireki (霹靂)" by KODO and "Ashibi" by Tetsu Saito
Lighthouse was presented as part of The Next Stage Project's Finding Light, Green Space TAKEROOT, and Peridance Center's Peridance Presents. The work was supported by the LEIMAY Incubator Program, Blanca Huertas, Ballet Hispánico School, The Next Stage Project and a community of supporters across the globe.
_________
Choreographers / Artists
MIHO RYU is a New York based Dancer, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist, originally from Tokyo, Japan. She holds BA in Drama from Waseda University and received Best Dance Choreography Award from Oniros Film Awards® in 2018. Miho has choreographed and performed more than 100 works including of live performances, films, music videos, andinteractive installations, across the continents: Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and the US. After 2 decades of professional experience based in Japan, Miho moved back to New York in 2024, the land where she studied dance from 1999-2004. Miho has been presented her works at WestFest Top Floor at Martha Graham Studio Theater, Inter-grant Festival at Arts On Site, Recess in Chez Bushwick, Crossing Boundaries in Dixon place, Eco Arts Festival at Governors Island, At Capacity /AOCC by Movement Research at BAX, Chain Theatre, Firehouse Theater(VA), and Asia Tri Jogja in Indonesia. Miho has performed work by Laura Peterson, Collen Thomas, Mizuho Kappa and Yin Mei. She is currently teaching contemporary class at Peridance Center, Ballet Hispanico School and Steps on Broadway.
MARIJKE ELIASBERG, native of the Netherlands, Founder and Co-Artistic Director of The Next Stage Project (TNSP), has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for the past 27 years in New York City. In 2001 Marijke founded the global dance collective: The Next Stage Project (TNSP), which she co-directs with Jana Hicks. With TNSP, she travels around the world, teaching, creating, mentoring and making exchange and performance projects possible. In NYC, Marijke currently teaches modern contemporary classes at Peridance Center and has taught at Gibney, Ballet Arts, Now Yoga, Steps on Broadway, Dance Space, Dance New Amsterdam, Dancewave, Broadway Dance Center, FSU in NYC Master Program, and Improvisation & Composition classes at the Joffrey Ballet School. She has taught and created works in the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, France, Japan, and India. As a performer, she has worked with numerous companies and choreographers including Jana Hicks, Pauline Levick, Nita Liem/Don’t Hit Mama, Guido Tuveri, SunHwa Chung, Jenni Hong, Max Stone, and Kevin Wynn among others. Marijke holds a BFA in physical education with a specialization in dance. She continued her modern dance studies at the Rotterdam Dance Academy (Codarts) in The Netherlands and Dance Space Inc in NYC. Her continuing education, which includes studying extensively Tai Chi Chuan with Chinese Great Grandmaster William C. C. Chen in NYC refining his short form, long form, sword form and push-hands. GGM Chen recently awarded her with the Title of Master teacher. https://www.thenextstageproject.com
KAORI HIWASA is a New York-based dancer, choreographer, and educator from Japan. Her performance credits include a New York immersive musical production, Avalona, A Musical Legend, television appearances, music videos, and live theatrical works in both the United States and Japan. She is a member of Ellenore Scott’s dance company and has collaborated on a range of commercial and theatrical projects. Kaori is also the creator of an award-winning dance film selected for international film festivals. She continues to develop her career as an artist, performer and educator based in New York City.
MAYU NAKAYA (she/her) is a New York-based contemporary dance artist from Japan. She has worked with Obremski/Works, Drye Marinaro Dance Company, Helen Simoneau Danse, SAXYN Dance Works, Li Chiao-Ping Dance (Wisconsin), Rogue Wave with Catherine Messina, Six Degrees Dance, One Day Dance, sarAika Movement Collective, Faustine Lavie Dance Project, iKADA Contemporary Dance Company, Yoshito Sakuraba, and Kanon Sugino.
Her artistic foundation includes ballet, piano, swimming, capoeira, and gymnastics. She developed her dance technique and creative voice at Tokyo Metropolitan High School of the Arts and the University of Tsukuba, studying under Kaori Kagaya and Kazuyuki Futami in Japan, and later at The Ailey School in New York (2019–2021). From 2016 to 2019, she presented her choreographic works at competitions throughout Japan and South Korea, receiving several awards as both a dancer and choreographer. Since relocating to New York in 2019, her choreographic works have been presented at festivals and performance venues across New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Japan. She is drawn to contemporary dance as a live art form that transcends boundaries of language, culture, nationality, race, and gender through embodied expression. Through shared experiences created between performers and audiences, she seeks to cultivate moments of empathy, connection, and genuine human understanding. Driven by a desire to share the transformative power of contemporary dance and to offer healing, reflection, and encouragement through her work, Mayu founded MNiverse, a creative platform dedicated to artistic exploration, collaboration, and ongoing creative challenges. Through MNiverse, she continues to create opportunities for meaningful connection and artistic growth.
ADELITA HINOJOSA-MARTIN, a native of Denton, Texas, is a Brooklyn-based choreographer, dancer, and registered nurse whose work sits at the urgent intersection of contemporary movement and public health. As the Artistic Director and Choreographer of LARGA VISTA DANCE, she is dedicated to her mission of "empowering women through art & healthcare education." Adelita holds a B.S. in Nursing and has spent nearly two decades as a certified oncology nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in neurology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. This extensive medical background inherently shapes her experimental choreographic process, where she translates clinical data, evidence-based research, and patient testimonies into a visceral, contemporary movement aesthetic designed to inspire women to reclaim their bodily autonomy and put their health first. Having flourished in the NYC dance community since 2005, Adelita’s rich movement background spans contemporary, contemporary jazz, ballet, and Latin jazz. A passionate educator, Adelita has taught at the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz & Contemporary Summer Intensive, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance. She has also collaborated with renowned industry talents, including Emmy Award-nominee Brian Thomas and Tony Award-winning associate choreographer Maija Garcia (FELA!). Grounded in her multifaceted roles, Adelita’s newest work breaks traditional performance boundaries. By utilizing cross-sector collaborations with medical experts and elevating patient stories, she transforms sterile medical knowledge into accessible, emotionally resonant, and creatively empowering art. Bridging the gap between clinical healthcare and avant-garde performance, Adelita turns the stage into a powerful catalyst for wellness, inspiring women to take hold of their health journeys and spark a lasting cultural shift.
SARA PIZZI is an Italian dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher in New York City. She graduated from Steps on Broadway and Peridance Certificate programs in 2020. Sara performs with several esteemed dance companies, including The Next Stage Project, Kaleid Collective, Six Degrees, FLDP and more. She is also the co-founder of the sarAika Movement Collective. Sara has graced notable stages such as Lincoln Center, City Center, Mark Morris, and NYLA, and has been featured on the Times Square billboard. Her work was first commissioned in 2021, culminating in her debut evening-length performance, a European-Japan tour in 2023, and she received her first choreographic residency in 2024. As a dedicated educator, Sara teaches at Dalton School and for the "Hands are for Holding" program by Gibney. Additionally, she works as an associate photographer and videographer for BECCAVISION and curator committee for Dance Parade.
VIVE AND COMPANY - VIVAKE KHAMSINGSAVATH is a Laotian American artist based in NYC. His mission in dance is to empower and connect people through expression of movement. He has been able to offer his Flow methodology across Universities, Conservatories in the states and over 22 countries. He is passionate about community and supporting the arts.
MIGUEL ZAPICO - Guest Movement and Sound Artist was born and raised in Spain. He came to New York for the best of reasons, Michelle, 20 years ago. He works 9 to 5 in the corporate world, and plays at unscheduled hours in the real world. He strums several strings instruments, which is at odds with his passion for NY handball. These days you can find him entertaining crowds every month with the Gladiators NYC, or joining the Xavier players every Sunday evening. He loves performing with The Next Stage Project, every time finding new ways of expression.
Meet the performance artists:
Amy (Campbell) Aquilina dances, performs, choreographs, teaches, produces, and makes work for the stage, nightlife, musicians, and anyone else who will let her put on a show. She has a BFA in dance and choreography from The Ohio State University. Approaching 2 decades in NYC, she has taught and choreographed for many dancers, collaborated with multiple modern and dance theatre companies, performed in numerous venues, and in music videos, live events, and variety shows. Her personal work is under the moniker, Crooked Mouth, and she currently dances and serves as rehearsal director for Inclined Dance Project. Amy is thrilled to be joining this show and so grateful to Marijke and the talented dancers of TNSP for welcoming her.
Ian Debono, originally from San Francisco, is a dancer with The Limón Dance Company and The Metropolitan Opera. In 2023, he graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance under the direction of Alicia Graf Mack. While there, he had the pleasure of performing works by Ohad Naharin, Medhi Walerski, Paul Singh, Amy Hall Garner, Norbert De La Cruz III, Spenser Theberge, and Jermaine Spivey, among others.
Hyun Ji Jeon Originally from South Korea, Hyun Ji Jeon is a New York-based dancer, choreographer, and dance educator specializing in modern and contemporary dance. She holds an MA in Dance from Temple University and completed the Two-Year Certificate Program at Peridance. Her choreographic works have been presented at the Triad Theater and the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater. As a passionate educator, she teaches a diverse range of styles, including ballet, contemporary, and K-pop. As a professional performer, Hyun Ji actively works with The Dynasties, The Next Stage Project, and Danse En L'air
Sarah Golzari is from Charleston, South Carolina where she began training classical ballet at Dance Conservatory of Charleston. She earned her degree in French Language with a minor in Dance from Winthrop University in 2020. She then spent a year teaching English in France, where she also trained with Ballet Prejocaj in contemporary and ballet styles. Sarah moved to New York in 2021 and enjoys taking classes at Peridance, Steps on Broadway, and Ballet Arts Center. Outside of her dance career, Sarah is a guitarist and vocalist for the indie rock band Onfilm.
Lana Hankinson Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Ms. Lana Hankinson is a freelance performing artist currently based out of New York City. She is a graduate of Adelphi University and holds a BFA in Dance, and is also a Dance Equity Association and ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensives in Pre-Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Falls Kennedy is one lucky, long-legged lady who grew up in Savannah, GA, attended Barnard College, and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. She is grateful to Marijke and the cast! Falls loves creating dances of her own and performing the work of others. For more information, please visit fallskennedy.com.
Hwajin Kim is from South Korea and moved to New York in 2015. She worked with ZIT dance company, Lee.K dance company, Jo Seong-eun, Megumi Horiochi, and TNSP (The Next Stage Project). Recently, she is interested in the connection between her body and mind and is still loving dancing.
Margaret Knowles was born in Nashville, TN and came to New York for college at New York University, where she studied Contemporary Art and Critical Theory. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and is grateful every day for the joy that dance brings her. She began taking class with Jana Hicks and Marijke Eliasberg at a recommendation from one of her dance teachers, and she immediately fell in love with their styles. She is thrilled and honored to be performing with The Next Stage Project.
Chris LaFleche has been on the faculty of Joffrey Ballet School’s Youth program since 2016. He has performed with both The Next Stage Project and Periapsis Music and Dance. Prior to relocating to New York, he served on the faculties of The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and the Hartt School Community Division. He performed with Full Force Dance Theatre (Katie Stevinson-Nollet), Sonia Plumb Dance Company, and as a guest artist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra through Pier Group Dance (Stephen Pier). Chris holds a BFA in Ballet Pedagogy from The Hartt School. In addition to teaching dance, he also teaches Pilates privately throughout NYC.
Sara LaPadula is a dance artist and educator from Westchester, New York. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2021, earning her BFA in Dance. Following graduation, Sara joined the Limón Dance Company as a member of its second company.Sara is currently a full-time dance educator, teaching students ages 13–18 at a public charter school in New York City. Beyond her work in dance, Sara is a certified personal trainer and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). Over the past year, she has performed in new works by Marijke Eliasberg (The Next Stage Project), Miho Ryu, and Rebecca Lloyd Jones. Sara is deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such inspiring artists and is honored to continue working with Marijke once again.
Yoojin Lee is a contemporary dancer from South Korea. She received her B.A. in Contemporary Dance from Sungkyunkwan University. Through movement, she strives to create work that leaves audiences feeling joyful and at ease. Currently based in New York, she is training and performing through the Peridance Program, collaborating with choreographers and participating in various performance projects. She is dedicated to developing a nuanced movement language and contributing to meaningful artistic experiences for both performers and audiences.
Chauncey Pauley, named after her grandfather, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Elon University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Based in New York City, she has danced with Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, Ariel Rivka Dance, ToUch Events under Elizabeth McGuire, Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and Disagreeable Creatures (Danita Shaheen). She appeared in Paradise Interrupted at Lincoln Center and in the Off-Broadway production My First Nutcracker with New York City Children’s Theater, directed and choreographed by Kristen Brooks Sandler. Chauncey currently dances with The Next Stage Project, Danse En L’air, and with Miho Ryu.
Hon Rui is a Singapore-born contemporary dancer with 10 years of experience. As a member of crew HRCY, he draws from street styles to shape a movement language that is distinctly his own. Competing internationally, he has placed 3rd at GJJK Japan 2026, 5th at Summerjam 2025, and 11th at WOD Summit 2024. For Hon Rui, dance is a reflection of lived experience — the highs, the lows, the in-between — abstracted into movement and brought to life on stage.
Hiroko Uchino moved to NY in 2009, she went to Steps on Broadway for 3 years to continue training as an International dance student. After her professional career such as National tour for The King and I, Dance team of NY Lizards for Major League Lacrosse,Music Video of “Hello” from Above and Beyond, “Fresh Prince of Belaire” from Dave East and Rick Ross. She now is a mother of a daughter. She’s been building a career as a professional mom.
Caroline Vanstrom is originally from Roswell, GA where she grew up dancing with the studio Roswell City Dance competing both regionally and nationally from age 5-18, including professional performances at the Capezio ACE Awards in NY, the Joyce Theater in NY and 7 Stages in Atlanta all with choreographer Cherrise Wakeham. She graduated with a BA from USC in Los Angeles and currently works as a producer in film and television when she’s not dancing. After moving to NY in late 2021, she was thrilled to find Marijke's class and is excited to be apart of her second show with The Next Stage Project with this incredible group of dancers!
Tristan Walsh (He/Him) is a New York-based dance performer, choreographer, and educator originally from North Carolina. He began his dance education at 16 and later pursued a career in dance, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May 2023. Upon moving to New York directly after graduation, Tristan joined the Sonia Plumb Dance Company for their summer performance tour of the north east. Now, he is currently in his fourth season with the Next Stage Project. Tristan has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Gerri Houlihan, Janet Lily, B.J. Sullivan, George Staib, Marijke Eliasberg, Sonia Plumb, and Helen Simoneau. He has also honed his craft in site-specific performance, touring the Amalfi Coast in Italy with the Staib Dance Summer Dance Intensive in Sorrento and the b12 summer dance intensive in Berlin, Germany. Most recently, Tristan just completed a choreographic residency with the AFFEKT Dance company as guest choreographer for his piece “circling the drain” this work explores human greed and societal consumption. Finding the same system that supports us also has a part in our collapse. You can follow his movement journey on Instagram @wal.tristan
