The Dance Gallery Festival was created in 2007 by Astrid von Ussar and Mojca Ussar and has since become a well-known festival with annual showcases in New York City and Texas. Having been met with much praise and enthusiasm from artists, audiences and critics alike, The Dance Gallery Festival has quickly become an essential addition to the dance world.  The aim of our festival is to help deepen public appreciation and support for concert dance.  

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As a part of our continued mission to find up-and-coming choreographic talent at the national level, the Dance Gallery Festival is proud to present our Level UP commission program. Level UP serves as a performance showcase for three talented dance companies/ choreographers that are ready to advance to the next level in the development and promotion of their work. Each choreographer receives 25 minutes of performance time at the prestigious Ailey Citigroup Theatre and a commission fee.

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In the Dance Gallery Festival’s 15 year history, a tremendous amount of talent has been showcased. Our aim is to continue cultivating that talent by creating another performance vehicle that supports the growth of dance companies by providing increased exposure and performance opportunities.

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The Dance Gallery Festival partnered with Sam Houston State University in 2009 and has welcomed Andy Noble as Regional Programming Associate in 2011. As a part of this partnership, Sam Houston State University offers paid guest artist residencies to select participating companies. These one-week residencies include choreographing a new work on Sam Houston’s upper-level students to be performed on their fall concert as well as teaching technique and choreography classes. A juried panel comprised of Sam Houston faculty and area artists will select the resident artists.  Past recipients include Enzo Celli of Celli Contemporary Ballet, Lauren Edson, Marcus Jarrell Willis, Amy Cain and Dawn Dippel of Revolve Dance Company, and Maurice Causey; former dancer with NDT and Ballet Frankfurt.

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By creating an exciting artistic forum for some of the world’s most talented choreographers, The Dance Gallery Festival is a unique experience of sublime, unfettered dance.