The Contestants

Sidra Bell

Sidra Bell, Artistic Director of Sidra Bell Dance New York, graduated from Yale University with a BA in History and received an MFA in Choreography from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance.  Since its inception in 2001, the company has presented three seasons featuring live jazz and dance at the Joseph P. Kennedy Center in Harlem, NY.  The company has been presented at Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Yale University, Harvard University, the Schomburg Museum, Purchase College, Stella Adler Studio of Acting MAD AIR series (2006), DancenOw/NYC at Dance Theater Workshop, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Montreal’s Dances Buisssoniéres at Tangente and Joyce SoHo Presents.  The company performed a program of its repertory at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Inside/Out Series.  Sidra Bell’s works have been performed in Spain, Aruba, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto.  Recent commissions include the Alvin Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, Marygrove College, Ballet Divertimento (Montreal), Arts Umbrella (Vancouver), Canadian Children’s Dance Theater (Toronto), Purchase College, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School, LaGuardia High School, Ballet Austin (2008), Sacramento Ballet (2008) and The Juilliard School (2008).  In 2005 and 2006, Ms. Bell was selected to work as a young choreographer at Springboard Danse Montreal and created works that were performed at Moyse Hall and Place des Arts.  Ms. Bell was a recipient of the Patricia Kerr Ross Award for choreographic achievement, sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts, was a Tribeca Performing Arts Center Artist-in-Residence and was awarded a Bessie Schönberg Choreographers Residency at The Yard in 2007.  Read Sidra's blog

Viktor Kabaniaev

Mr. Kabaniaev graduated from Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia.

He worked as a principal dancer in several companies in the former Soviet Union,

Germany, and in the United States including Boris Eifman Ballet, the Russian Ballet,Komiche Oper Berlin, The Dortmund Ballet, The Hanover Ballet and Diablo Ballet. He has performed roles in many classical, neo-classical and modern ballets.

Mr. Kabaniaev’s first choreography “Adagietto” was awarded a "Special Prize" at the 29th Annual Ballet Festival of Japan, Tokyo in 1997. In 2004 he received "First

Laureate" for choreography "White Light" at the 3rd International Serge Diahgilev

Competition for Choreographers in Gdynia, Poland. In 2005 Mr. Kabaniaev received "Grand Prize" for choreography "Duet" at the 8th Annual Dance Under The Stars Choreography Festival in Palm Desert, California. His choreographies were performed by companies such Cincinnati Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Moving Arts Dance, AIS Ballet, Japan,Troymesky Teater, Poland, Ultimatum Step, France.  Recently, Mr. Kabaniaev received “Outstanding Choreographer Award” on Youth America Grand Prix 2007 in San Francisco.  Read Viktor's blog

Amy Seiwert