Koresh Dance Company
Koresh Dance Company
 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

STAFF/BOARD

DANCERS

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

TOURING

BOOKING INFO

AUDITIONS

JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

 

The COMPANY

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. Over the years, Roni has developed a vast repertoire of work that ranges from explosive and passionate to intimate and restrained. The company also presents work by guest choreographers including Ohad Naharin, Robert Battle, Donald Byrd, Itzik Galili, and Paul Selwyn Norton.

Rehearsal Oct 23 _ Koresh _ Philadelphia _ Contigo Photos & Films_-7499 (1).jpg
 
 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

 
Photo by Frank Bicking

Photo by Frank Bicking

“The best part of me is that I love what I do. I live it. I sleep with it. It is what I am.”
— Roni Koresh

Ronen (Roni) Koresh is a choreographer, teacher, and collaborator whose unique blend of ballet, modern, and jazz leaves audiences dazzled by the raw passion that is infused into his movement. He formed Koresh Dance Company in 1991 and quickly established an international reputation for highly technical and emotionally charged work.

Since forming the company, Roni has created a vast repertoire of over 40 works and tours nationally and internationally to audiences around the world. 

 
“Original dance pieces that break through boundaries of traditional choreography and offer audiences an exciting experience.”
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STAFF

Executive Director
Alon Koresh

Artistic Director
Ronen Koresh

Assistant Artistic Director
Melissa Rector

School Director
Nir Koresh

School Operations Manager
Vanessa Boutin

Marketing & Events Director
Keila Perez-Vega

Development Director
Sharon Place

Outreach Director
Lindey Jaynes

Lighting Designer
Peter Jakubowski

Lighting Designer
Alyssandra Docherty

Videographer
Sandy Mitchel

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
Steve Lazin, Bongiovi Media & Tech

Vice President

Leslie Baker Boris, Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation

Treasurer
Andrew Frankel

Secretary
Joanna Chan

Member
Niza Davidson
Toni Alperin Goldberg

Michele Barbone

Thomas Gant Jr.

Artistic Director, Koresh Dance Company
Ronen Koresh

Executive Director, Koresh Dance Company
Alon Koresh

 

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Dancers

Melissa Rector, Assistant Artistic Director and Dancer

Originally from West Virginia, Melissa started dancing at a young age with Monica Folio. She graduated from the University of the Arts in 1993. Melissa has been dancing with Koresh Dance Company since its inception in 1991 and is the company’s Assistant Artistic Director. She is also an instructor at the Koresh School of Dance, where she teaches her unique style that blends modern jazz and Luigi technique. Her work has been performed locally at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Annenberg Center, Drexel University, the Grier School and Brandywine Ballet. She frequently travels around the country to perform, teach master classes and set choreography on students. In 2008, Melissa helped to establish the Koresh Youth Ensemble and serves as their artistic director, setting both original choreography and company repertory on the group.

Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Robert Tyler, DancerRobert Tyler grew up in Batavia, NY and began dancing at the age of 10. He studied under the instruction of Robin Cotler at her studio, Images in Dance. In 2008 he began studying at the University of the Arts and graduated in May…

Robert Tyler, Dancer

Robert Tyler grew up in Batavia, NY and began dancing at the age of 10. He studied under the instruction of Robin Cotler at her studio, Images in Dance. In 2008 he began studying at the University of the Arts and graduated in May 2012 with a BFA in Dance Performance, majoring in ballet. In the summers of 2010 and 2011, he worked with Robin Cotler’s dance company, Images Evolution, and performed at the International Dance Festival in Poland. Robert joined Koresh Dance Company in 2012.

Photo by: Frank Bicking

Callie Hocter, DancerCallie 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.Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Callie Hocter, Dancer

Callie 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.

Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Devon Larcher, DancerDevon Larcher is a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island where he graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Devon started his career traveling the world on the Royal Caribbean cruise line as a dancer and aerialist. He has been a member of the Bill Evans touring company as well as Urbanity Dance Company since 2014. Devon not only loves the stage but also to choreograph and create which he has had the opportunity to do both in the states and internationally. Devon joined Koresh Dance Company in 2018.Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Devon Larcher, Dancer

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. Here, in the states, he has worked with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Part of the Oath, Bill Evans Dance Company, Ten31, Fusionworks Dance Co., and Urbanity Dance. These early opportunities have led Devon to where he is now, which is a company member with the world-renowned Koresh Dance Company for 6 years. As a performer with Koresh, Devon has been performing to sold out audiences nationally and internationally. 

Devon is currently a director and elite judge for one of the largest dance competitions in the USA, Starbound National Talent Competition. When not spending the weekend with Koresh or Starbound, Devon shares his broad knowledge and talents teaching & choreographing at studios, conventions and universities across the United States and abroad. 

Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Paige Devitt, DancerPaige Devitt, originally from Detroit, Michigan recently graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance from Point Park University. There she performed works by Adam Hougland, Sonya Tayeh, Alexandra Damiani, Jessica Hendricks, Troy Powell, and Garfield Lemonius. In 2017, Paige had the opportunity to perform works by Paul Lightfoot &amp; Sol León and Václav Kuneš at Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, as well as a work by Ohad Naharin at Springboard Danse Montreal. She has also trained at programs such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Movement Invention Project, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Paige joined Koresh Dance Company in 2018.Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Paige Devitt, Dancer

Paige Devitt, originally from Detroit, Michigan recently graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance from Point Park University. There she performed works by Adam Hougland, Sonya Tayeh, Alexandra Damiani, Jessica Hendricks, Troy Powell, and Garfield Lemonius. In 2017, Paige had the opportunity to perform works by Paul Lightfoot & Sol León and Václav Kuneš at Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, as well as a work by Ohad Naharin at Springboard Danse Montreal. She has also trained at programs such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Movement Invention Project, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Paige joined Koresh Dance Company in 2018 and has now toured nationally and internationally. In addition to performing, she shares her expertise through teaching and choreographing for both young students and university settings, nurturing their growth and creativity in dance.

Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Sarah Shaulis, DancerSarah Shaulis started dancing at a young age in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Throughout the years she has studied at numerous dance studios within the area and trained in multiple styles such as Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Tap, and more. While maintaining her busy dance schedule she also performed as a child actress at several professional theaters such and Sight and Sound Theater and Hershey’s Music Box Theater. In 2012, Sarah began her pre-professional training in the Koresh Youth Ensemble under the direction of Melissa Rector, Assistant Artistic Director of Koresh Dance Company. After graduating, she was offered an apprenticeship with Koresh Dance Company and continued her training with Roni Koresh. Sarah joined the company in 2017.&nbsp;Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Sarah Shaulis, Dancer

Sarah Shaulis started dancing at a young age in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Throughout the years she has studied at numerous dance studios within the area as well as performing as a child actress and dancer at several professional theaters such as Hershey's music box Theater.  In 2012, Sarah began her pre-professional training in the Koresh Youth Ensemble under the direction of Melissa Rector, Assistant Artistic Director of Koresh Dance Company. In 2017, she was offered an apprenticeship with Koresh Dance Company and continued her training with Roni Koresh, director of the company. As she continues to perform and tour, she also teaches and choreographs in and around Philadelphia area, sharing her love and passion of dance with her students. She officially joined Koresh Dance Company in 2017.

Photo by: Contigo Photos + Films

Savanna Mitchell, Dancer

Savanna was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and began dance at the early age of three. She trained at Edna Lee Dance Studio (now Artistic Movement Academy of Dance) and studied dance in high school at George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology. In 2018 Savanna enrolled at Towson University where she received a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. While at Towson she was awarded talent scholarships and technical excellence awards by the department. Throughout her career she has been fortunate enough to attend many summer programs working with esteemed choreographers and instructors. Savanna joined Koresh Dance Company in 2022.

Photo by: Titus Touch Photography

Mia Davis, Dancer

Mia Davis grew up in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and started taking ballet classes at 10 years old. She is a graduate and scholarship recipient of Point Park University with a BFA in Dance and a concentration in modern. She has had the opportunity to train at The Ailey School, BalletX, Koresh Dance Company, Philadelphia Ballet, and The University of the Arts and is now a dancer with the Koresh Dance Company. Some choreographers she has had the pleasure to work with include Twyla Tharp, LeeWei Chao, Christopher Huggins, Penny Saunders, Matthew Neenan, Levi Marsman, and Rob Priore. Mia joined Koresh Dance Company in 2023.

Kevin Ocampo, Dancer

Kevin Ocampo is from the Chicago area where they started their dance training at the age of 14. They are a graduate of Point Park University receiving a BFA in Dance in April of 2023. Over the years, Kevin has had the opportunity to attend training programs at Whim W’him and Ballet Hispanico. They have performed works by Jae Man Joo, Twyla Tharp, Norbet De La Cruz III, LeeWei Chao, Justin Peck, and many more. Additionally, Kevin has performed several works with The Pillow Projects and in the opera production of ‘Idaspe’ with Quantum Theatre. Most recently, Kevin has joined Koresh Dance Company in 2023.

Owen Whetstone, Apprentice

Originally from California, Owen Whetstone started training dance at the age of 14. Owen studied at the University of the Arts, where they had the opportunity to perform works by Katie Swords-Thurman, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Sidra Bell, Sara Procopio, Shayla-vie Jenkins, Jesse Zaritt, and Kyle and Dinita Clark. Alongside being a dancer, Owen is a lighting designer and stagehand. They worked as part of the production team at the American Dance Festival in 2022, and have designed lights for Mark Caserta, Mikey Morado, and close to 40 Senior Thesis works with the UArts School of Dance. Owen joined Koresh Dance Company in 2023.

 
 
“With engaging performances and technically superb dancers, Koresh Dance Company has been hailed internationally, touring to destinations including Spain, Turkey, Israel, South Korea, Mexico, and Guatemala.”
 

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“The dance shifts between group dances, in which the company embodies primitive tribal rituals tinged by fear, and intimate duets, in which the dancers explore wordless longing and sexual desire.”
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press

For Booking information please contact Alon Koresh, Executive Director
215-751-0959 | ak@koreshdance.org

Photos by Frank Bicking

 
 
dancing on stage, Adult Dance Classes, Koresh Dance Company

COME TOGETHER DANCE FESTIVAL

“A rousing success.”
—The Dance Journal

“A great opportunity. I was inspired by other artists’ work.”
—Raphael Xavier, Festival choreographer

“We asked our region’s arts groups to help people experience art in new ways. The performing arts community has once again delivered.”
—Bill Mills, PNC regional president, Come Together 2014 sponsor

“Come Together Dance Festival takes the art to a whole new level.”
—Philadelphia Weekly

“Awesome Philly dance and some serious Philly flava.”
—The Dance Journal

“Making our town a mecca of significant DIY artistic accomplishment.”
—thINKingDANCE

 
 
dancing in greenlight on stage, Adult Dance Classes, Koresh Dance Company

ACCLAIMED ARTISTRY

“It’s all dance, and it’s all art.”
—Dance Magazine

“You know you’re seeing art when it has that kind of staying power.” 
—Broad Street Review

“Those of us who critique the arts go wild with delight when an artist we’ve been watching for many years creates a work that transcends all he has done before.”
—Philadelphia Inquirer

“The expression and performances proved fresh, urgent, and deeply persuasive.”
—LA Times

“Koresh’s style gives us hope…” —Broad Street Review

“Ronen Koresh’s most recent artistic triumph, La Danse.” —The Dance Journal

“A visceral, adrenaline-driven, and poignantly human body of work inspired by Henri Matisse’s paintings”

—The Dance Journal

 
dance group holding hands up on stage, Adult Dance Classes, Koresh Dance Company

koresh choreography

“Earthy, folk-dancey, emotionally direct, physically intense, and ostentatiously eccentric”
—The New Yorker

“The finale was typically turbocharged—because when the dust settles after a Koresh concert, you must leave bedazzled.”
—Philadelphia Inquirer

“A wealth of forceful invention”
—Art Burst Miami

“The Company's vast repertoire of work ranges from intimate to high-voltage”
—Northwestern Press

“Athletic, exuberant, disciplined. Koresh has always been committed to dance that is accessible.”
—Cincinnati Enquirer

“Roni finds beauty in seeing the humanness in each dancer and letting the audience see who they are.”
—St. Louis Jewish Light

“Koresh brushes his La Danse … with rhythmic claps, stomps, and hops, adding rich variety to the movement.”

—The Philadelphia Inquirer

 
jumping on stage, Adult Dance Classes, Koresh Dance Company

the experience

“Exalted, the audience rises to their feet, giving the company a thunderous ear-shattering standing ovation.”
—Dance Insider

“the most exciting dance experience I’ve ever seen in Philadelphia—and my life. … this, with its outstanding lighting and technically-honed music, was an experience I wholeheartedly advocate for anyone even slightly interested in dance.”
—Philadelphia Weekly

“the audience is captivated”
—Broad Street Review

“immediately … visually stunning but also sticks with you long after leaving the theatre”
– The Pointe

“The entire evening’s performance was dancing at its most profound. I can’t remember the last time a dance company drew tears from me; this one did, several times.”
– Reading Eagle

“With La Danse, Koresh reminds us that in the midst of death, we are in life and we are in love…”

— The Dance Journal

 
Standing on 1 leg on stage, Adult Dance Classes, Koresh Dance Company

our dancers

“Technical knockouts! The Koresh Dance Company’s dancers displayed dazzling skill” and “instantly made clear their technical prowess in ... dance that engulfed the stage like brush fire.”
—Philadelphia Weekly

“The dancers of Koresh are technically superb, but even better, they are allowed to be individuals.”
—Dance Magazine

“excellent jet-propelled dancers”
—Broad Street Review

“the compressed push of muscle with the feeling of coiled springs just below the skin … an army of synchronized powerhouses”
—thINKingDANCE

“such verve and professionalism”
—Broad Street Review

“Renowned for their precision and their ability to do practically anything.”
—Reading Eagle

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BOOKINgs

For more information please contact Alon Koresh
215-751-0959 | ak@koreshdance.org | pr@koreshdance.org

 

Please complete the form below

 
“The dancers of Koresh are technically superb, but even better, they are allowed to be individuals.
”
— Dance Magazine
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