Irise Dance Project Artists
ARTISTS

ARTISTS

Irise Dance Project

Type: Workshop, Residency
Art Form: Dance, Music, Exploring Cultures
Grade Level: K-12

Irise Dance Project is a 501c3 organization based at Izizwe Dance Studio in Lawrence MA. Irise aims to empower youth and communities through the transformative power of dance. Their mission is to make high-quality dance education accessible to all individuals and to provide the opportunities and support needed to elevate professional dance in the communities they serve.

Irise Dance Project actively collaborates with schools and community organizations to bring dance education directly to their spaces. By working closely with partners, they aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment where dance is utilized as a tool to promote creativity and empowerment in the lives of young people. Irise Dance Project provides instruction in African Dance and drumming, creative movement, dance technique, and dance composition.

Video: Welcome to Izizwe Dance Studio

More about the artists:

Amy Xotyeni, Owner and Director of Irise Dance Project, has been teaching and choreographing for the past 9 years. She has trained with Boston Ballet, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, The HARTT School of Dance, iKapa Dance Theatre, and Bridgewater State University. She has launched international dance exchange programs for underprivileged youth in South Africa and Boston and hosted the first Jean Appolon Summer Dance Institute in the United States. She has taught at several dance studios around Massachusetts before becoming the director of Izizwe Dance Studio. She has collaborated with international leading artists on several projects both here and abroad and has been an outreach dance teacher for Boston and Lawrence Public Schools. She holds a B.F.A. in Dance Education.

Mcebisi Xotyeni, of Cape Town, South Africa, is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. He began dancing with the outreach program Dance For All, where he trained extensively in ballet, African, contemporary, and hip hop. He was awarded a full scholarship with Dance For All, and eventually began working for the professional dance company iKapa Dance Theatre. He has also worked with leading companies in South Africa such as: Cape Town City Ballet, Suede Productions, and Sibonelo Dance Project. He has performed for numerous festivals and has collaborated with international artists for performances and outreach projects. He currently co-directs Irise Dance Project and dances professionally with one of Boston's leading dance companies; Jean Appolon Expressions in Cambridge Massachusetts and works as the Artistic Manager. Mcebisi has also taught for Lawrence and Boston Public Schools, Boston University, and The School of Classical Ballet.

Programs Offered

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