MICHIYAYA Dance

- 5013 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

MICHIYAYA Dance is a groundbreaking queer-led dance company that has established a powerful presence in both New York City and here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Co-founded by artistic directors Anya and Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery, the company is built on a foundation of pushing boundaries and centering the divine feminine through a unique blend of multidisciplinary performances and programming. Their work is a dynamic fusion of contemporary dance, visual art, and performance, creating an experience that is both physically virtuosic and deeply cerebral. MICHIYAYA is more than just a dance company; it is an artistic collective that uses movement to explore and challenge complex themes, including queerness, relationships to oppression, and the cultural constraints placed on the body. This innovative approach has earned them national recognition and a reputation for creating thoughtful, poetic, and meaningful work that resonates with audiences.

The company's presence in Pittsburgh provides a vital hub for artistic exploration and community engagement. Their performances and educational initiatives are designed to foster an inclusive artistic community where people of all backgrounds can feel safe to heal, explore, and inspire. They are dedicated to creating a creative sanctuary that celebrates queerness and highlights cross-disciplinary collaboration, making them a unique and valuable asset to the local arts scene. Their mission is to produce multidisciplinary performances that empower individuals with limitless boundaries, and they consistently achieve this by creating work that is not only beautiful to watch but also thought-provoking and revolutionary in its message. This commitment to social commentary through art is a defining feature of their work, making every performance a powerful and unforgettable experience.

At its core, MICHIYAYA Dance is about creating space for honest expression and connection. Their work often delves into themes of intimacy, sensuality, and healing, creating dialogues that are both raw and fanciful. By using dance to rewrite narratives and challenge societal norms, they offer audiences a chance to see the world from a new perspective. The company's vision is one of a dance community built on values of transparency, healing, inclusivity, and holistic support. They are committed to nurturing artists emotionally and financially, which in turn allows them to create and share their most authentic work. For anyone in the Pittsburgh area interested in contemporary dance, multidisciplinary art, or a community that values individuality and progressive thought, MICHIYAYA Dance is a destination worth exploring.

Located at 5013 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA, MICHIYAYA Dance is nestled in a vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood. The Penn Avenue arts corridor is a well-known hub for artists, galleries, and performance spaces, making it a perfect home for a company that values community and creative collaboration. The location is easily accessible to residents of Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, with public transportation options and street parking available. Its position in this artistic district makes it a central and convenient destination for those looking to experience avant-garde performances and engaging workshops. Being part of the local artistic fabric allows the company to connect with other creatives and the broader community, further enriching their work and impact.

The accessibility of their studio is a key benefit for local users, who can easily attend performances, workshops, and educational programs without a long commute. The location fosters a sense of being part of a larger creative ecosystem, allowing students and audience members to immerse themselves in the thriving Pittsburgh arts scene. Whether you are coming from downtown Pittsburgh, the East End, or a nearby suburb, the journey to MICHIYAYA Dance is straightforward, allowing you to focus on the artistic experience. The company’s physical presence in this neighborhood provides a tangible and welcoming space for their community initiatives, making it a true point of interest for anyone passionate about dance and the arts in Pennsylvania.

MICHIYAYA Dance offers a variety of services that extend beyond their professional performances, making their artistry accessible to a wider audience.

• Educational and Community Initiatives: The company is dedicated to nurturing voices and creativity through movement for youth and adults of all backgrounds. They offer various workshops and classes designed to engage participants both physically and intellectually.
• Choreography and Direction: The artistic directors lead dynamically physical and cerebral classes rooted in contemporary dance, performance, and visual art. Students are encouraged to explore their own individuality and make the choreography their own.
• Improvisation Classes: These sessions are guided by the artistic directors and serve as a safe space for risk-taking and exploration, using anatomical and imagery-driven prompts to build conceptual themes and practices.
• Panel Discussions: The company offers a close look into their artistic development, company structure, and how they have sustained themselves through creative and financial challenges, providing valuable insight for aspiring artists.
• Performances: MICHIYAYA Dance produces and presents original works that are described as "revolutionary and physically virtuosic," often exploring themes of identity, healing, and liberation.
• Good for Kids: The company's educational and community initiatives are suitable for children, providing a welcoming environment for young people to engage with dance and creativity.

The features and highlights of MICHIYAYA Dance are what make it a truly unique and important point of interest in Pittsburgh.

• Queer and Femme-Centric Focus: The company’s mission to center queer and femme voices sets it apart, creating a space that is inclusive and affirming for a historically underrepresented community in the arts.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: By combining contemporary dance with visual art, film, and live music, their performances offer a layered and immersive experience that goes beyond traditional dance theater.
• National Recognition: MICHIYAYA's work has been featured at prominent national venues and institutions like the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Yale University, and the Brooklyn Museum, and has been featured in publications like Art Forum and Vice i-D, showcasing their high level of artistic merit.
• Holistic Values: The company operates on principles of transparency, inclusivity, and healing, which inform not only their art but also their community engagement and support for artists.
• Partnership with Local Institutions: They have been artists-in-residence at local institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, which further solidifies their presence and impact within the Pittsburgh arts community.
• Unique Artistic Vision: Their work is consistently praised for being deep, thoughtful, and poetic, all while maintaining an abstract charm. The themes they tackle are relevant and urgent, making their performances a powerful form of social and political commentary.

For more information about MICHIYAYA Dance, you can reach out directly.

Address: 5013 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA

Phone: (646) 838-1833

What is worth choosing about MICHIYAYA Dance for residents of Pennsylvania is its unparalleled commitment to creating a space for authentic expression and artistic innovation. In a city with a rich arts history, MICHIYAYA stands out for its bold, contemporary, and deeply personal work. They offer more than just dance classes or performances; they offer a chance to be part of a community that values diversity, inclusivity, and the power of art to inspire change. For parents, the fact that their programs are "good for kids" means that young people in the Pittsburgh area have a unique opportunity to engage with a progressive and artistically challenging environment from an early age. The company's dedication to creating a safe and supportive space for everyone to explore their creativity is what truly sets them apart. By choosing MICHIYAYA Dance, you are not only supporting a local business but also investing in a revolutionary artistic movement that is reshaping what dance can be, right here in the heart of Pittsburgh. Their performances and educational initiatives provide an accessible entry point into the world of contemporary art, making them an invaluable resource for the local community and a must-visit destination for anyone with an interest in the performing arts.

MICHIYAYA Dance

5013 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA