34 Global Dancemakers Set for WHITE WAVE’s Landmark 10th Annual SoloDuo Festival
Our take

The announcement of the 10th Annual SoloDuo Dance Festival, hosted by WHITE WAVE DANCE at Dixon Place, is a significant event in the dance community that deserves our attention. With 34 exceptional dancemakers hailing from diverse cultures and backgrounds, this festival not only serves as a platform for artistic expression but also as a celebration of global unity through the universal language of dance. Artists from countries such as China, Israel, Korea, Mexico, and Poland will showcase their talents, reflecting a rich tapestry of movement and storytelling that resonates with audiences far and wide. This festival builds upon the momentum of previous events, much like the recent Summer for the City initiative at Lincoln Center, which emphasizes the importance of dance in our cultural narrative.
What makes the SoloDuo Festival particularly compelling is its commitment to spotlighting both solo and duo performances, encouraging a dynamic interplay between individuality and partnership. This dual focus not only allows for a diverse range of choreographic styles and interpretations but also invites audiences to experience the intimate nuances of dance in a more personal context. As we witness these artists pour their emotions and stories into their work, we are reminded of the powerful role that dance plays in fostering connection and understanding among people from different walks of life. In a world increasingly divided, events like this festival can provide a refreshing reminder of our shared humanity.
Moreover, the accessibility of the festival, with ticket prices set at $30 in advance and discounted rates for students and seniors, encourages a wide audience to engage with the art form. This is a critical aspect of making dance more inclusive, echoing sentiments expressed in other recent articles like Book review: Gavin Larsen and Gene Schiavone’s ‘Infinite Steps: Thirty-three Dancers and Their Lives in Ballet’, which highlight the importance of understanding the individual journeys of dancers. By making dance accessible to all, we cultivate a community that values and celebrates diverse artistic expressions.
As we anticipate the festival in February 2026, it is essential to reflect on the broader implications of such events. They not only provide a stage for artists to present their work but also invite conversations about inclusivity, representation, and the power of art to inspire change. Dance, whether viewed on stage or practiced in our own homes, serves as a reminder that we all possess the ability to express ourselves and connect with others. The SoloDuo Festival is not just an event; it is a movement toward embracing our differences while celebrating our commonalities, a message that is particularly relevant in today’s increasingly polarized world.
Looking ahead, one must ponder how festivals like the SoloDuo can evolve to further engage audiences and create lasting impact. Will we see more collaborative efforts with local communities, or perhaps initiatives that promote dance as a means of healing and self-expression in the face of adversity? The future of dance is bright, and as we continue to support these artistic endeavors, we empower individuals to express their unique narratives and foster a culture of body positivity and self-love.
WHITE WAVE DANCE presents the 10th Annual SoloDuo Dance Festival on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7:30PM and Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7PM & 9PM at Dixon Place. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and $25 for students and seniors for each program, with tickets available for all three programs for $70. Tickets can be purchased online.
Founded in 2016 by WHITE WAVE’s Artistic Director Young Soon Kim, the SoloDuo Dance Festival showcases 34 exceptional dancemakers from the New York Metro area, across the United States, and around the world—including artists from China, Israel, Korea, Mexico, and Poland. Participating artists were selected by a distinguished panel of presenters and dance professionals.
In 2025, WHITE WAVE Dance partnered with the ChangMu International Dance Festival in Seoul, Korea, to launch the SoloDuo Dance Festival New York | Seoul. Through this collaboration, two outstanding companies from the 2025 SoloDuo Dance Festival—Sean Howe Dance (New York) and Rebecca Laufer and Mats van Rossum (Netherlands)—were selected to perform at the ChangMu International Dance Festival in August in Seoul.
Building on this successful partnership, two companies from the 2026 SoloDuo Dance Festival will once again be selected and invited to perform in Seoul in 2026, continuing this exciting international exchange.
The Festival celebrates the artistry of the solo and duet, forms that often serve as vital expressions for choreographers developing their artistic voices. By presenting both emerging and mid-career artists, SoloDuo offers audiences a vivid, intimate experience while fostering the discovery and growth of new talent.
Dixon Place provides an ideal setting for this festival—an intimate venue uniquely suited to showcase the nuance and emotional depth of solo and duet performances.
WHITE WAVE DANCE presents its SoloDuo Dance Festival with three captivating programs featuring an international lineup of talented choreographers and companies.
Program One takes the stage on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 PM, showcasing works by Freespace Dance (NJ), Yaroque Dance Theatre (NY), Emilia Hamburg (CA), Julia Bentkowska x Julia Litwin (Poland), Limón2 (NY), Charlie Leung (Hong Kong), milkleaf (CA), Feathers Dance Company (NY), Brian Lawson & Aaron Loux (WI), Well Seasoned Works (VA), and WHITE WAVE Dance (NY).
Program Two follows on Friday, February 6 at 7 PM, with performances from Alison Cook Beatty Dance (NY), TheCo (México), McKoy Dance Project (MDP) (NY), Cara Marguerite Collective (NY), The People Dance Theater Company (Israel), Julia Weber (NY), Violet Danse (TX), P2 (PA), Jin-Wen Yu Dance (WI), Kat Reese Dance (NJ), Joel K. Linebach & Bird Thurman (OH), and Eric Mullis Projects (NC).
Program Three closes the evening on Friday, February 6 at 9 PM, featuring N/A Dances (NY), Alexandra Light (TX), Amos Pinhasi (NY), Le Ballet Fou (NY), Koin & Co (NY), HYEONWOO BAE (Korea), Terraformers (PA), Orphic (NY), Stevie Lamblin (OH), Siye Tao (China), and WHITE WAVE Dance (NY).
For more information, visit www.whitewavedance.org.
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