Click Here to Buy fusion2 Concert Tickets

Dancefusion’s fusion2, “a training company for young dancers” was formed in 1996. This junior company offers pre-professional dancers an opportunity to train and perform. fusion2 is a pre-professional performing group of teenagers, ages 13 to 18. They train and work on choreography that is a fusion of dance styles from modern dance to ballet and jazz. This is a diverse, multi-cultural group, drawing talented young students from the whole Philadelphia area. The group meets at least twice a week for classes and rehearsals. They perform throughout the year for schools, community centers, and cultural institutions.

This junior company selected the most accomplished dancers of the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center. Directed by Rachel Kantra, they perform for the general public, schools, hospitals, community and cultural institutions including, the Germantown Friends School, The Walt Whitman Cultural Center in Camden and the Philadelphia Free Library’s performance series, By Kids, For Kids,” and The Please Touch Museum, the University of Pennsylvania’s Iron Gate Theatre, The University of the Arts International Dance Conference, 2000 feet,” and the Mann Center for Performing Arts, Educational series.

Through fusion2, Dancefusion has developed educational services to the community that are unique. Inspired by the plight of children with disabilities, Dancefusion partnered with the HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy to present choreography of company members and other guests. This project included outreach performances at Shriners Hospital, the Bancroft NeuroHeatlh Center for children disabilities and the Philadelphia Carousel House for the Handicapped. In 2004 the project developed into CAPE, (Choreography, Art, Poetry, Experience). fusion2’s partnership with the HMS School has presented outreach performances and “hands-on” workshops with dancers and patients that took them to health facilities, community and senior centers, and schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. fusion2 has been collaborating with the HMS School for over six years presenting concerts at the Painted Bride Art Center and other venues. They have also presented at the Philadelphia Carousel House to inner-city school children. Dancefusion, enables the members of fusion2 to have the invaluable life experience of growing and performing in a professional environment, and to share their art with their audience.

Graduates of fusion2 have gone into the dance programs of TISCH School of Arts at New York University, Goucher, Barnard, Wesleyan, Temple, Fordham, Vassar, SUNY Purchase and University of the Arts. They have also entered programs at Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, The Juilliard School, Paul Taylor Training Program, Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theater of Harlem and The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Performing Arts. Admission reflects the high level of achievement of the fusion2 dancers.