Accent Dance NYC, a multicultural performing arts organization, celebrated its 7th Annual Fundraiser Gala, Culture Revealed, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at The Ailey Studios, 405 W. 55th Street, New York, NY.

Culture Revealed – The 7th Annual Gala

This year’s gala theme, Culture Revealed, celebrated culture as a “symphony of various lived experiences,” said Executive and Artistic Director Andrea Ziegelman. “We believe that through this celebration of varied cultures, we reveal the most profound aspects of being human—different yet connected.”

The evening featured:

• Cocktails, dinner, and live performances

• Interactive dance workshop with the company’s artists

• Premiere of Echoes Between Us by choreographer Miaotian Sun, the latest commission from NEXT: The Emerging Choreographer Program.
  The new work blends ballet, contemporary movement, and Chinese folklore, reimagining the reawakening of the ancient Chinese civilization of Sanxingdui through a modern lens.

Following the performance, Accent Dance Board member Crystyn Wright moderated a live Q&A with Miaotian Sun and the dancers.

The gala also honored Doug and Gay Lane of Lane & Associates for their longstanding support, and featured remarks from Melvin Campos, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Mt. Vernon.

All proceeds, which met the organization’s fundraising goals, will benefit Accent Dance NYC’s educational initiatives and the NEXT commissioning program for emerging choreographers. Last fiscal year alone, the organization reached over 10,000 students through school and community partnerships.

About Accent Dance NYC

Accent Dance NYC is a professional concert dance company and arts education organization dedicated to exploring the artistic, cultural, and humanistic connections among people of all backgrounds. The company merges diverse dance styles—ballet with hip hop, flamenco with contemporary, tap with urban street dance—to reveal the shared humanity in cultural expression. Its artists hail from across the globe and have performed with companies including Alvin Ailey, the Cuban National Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Beyond the stage, Accent Dance NYC reaches thousands of students each year through multicultural dance residencies and educational performances in New York City and lower Westchester County, using dance as a tool for empowerment, creativity, and inclusion.

The NEXT Program

Accent Dance NYC’s NEXT program nurtures the artistry of early-career choreographers who bring fresh voices to contemporary dance. By fostering collaboration and experimentation, NEXT supports choreographers in developing new work that explores cultural identity, storytelling, and innovation in movement.

Upcoming Season

Mark your calendar for the Accent Dance NYC 2026 Spring Season, taking place March 13 & 14 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street, NYC.
More details can be found at accent.dance/events.

About the Company

Accent Dance NYC commissions and performs work by choreographers including Pedro Ruiz, David Fernandez, Dardo Galletto, Will A. Ervin, Jr., Christina Coleman, and Danielle Diniz, creating performances that highlight social justice, climate change, inclusion, and identity through movement. The company has appeared at the Battery Park Dance Festival, iHeart Dance NYC Festival, Summer Streets NYC, and numerous community events across the region.