Taryn Kaschock Russell
92nd Street Y, a Storied Home of Dance, Gives It More Space
With a renovation, new studios and the return of dance to the Kaufmann Concert Hall, an institution once central to dance in New York invests in its future.
Russell, who became director in 2019, put dance back into Kaufmann Concert Hall. In 2021, while making a short film on the Kaufmann stage with the dancer Shamel Pitts, she felt chills and a sense of sacred ground, she said: “It lit a fire under me to figure out what it would take to get dance back onto that stage.”
92NY Names FUTURE DANCE FESTIVAL '23 Finalists
"It feels almost more important now than it did during the pandemic to continue the work of investing in developing networks which support our future generation of creative voices," comments Russell. "Now is the moment to commit, as a community, to providing continual opportunities to offer and spotlight diverse stories and introduce new audiences to new physical narratives. The Future Dance Festival 's mission, from its inception, was to move the needle forward for the next generation, and we are even more committed to furthering that mission today."
92NY Announces Harkness Dance Center 2022/23 Season
This season's Mainstage Series presents modern-day dance pioneers UNA Productions; Peter Chu; Johnnie Cruise Mercer; Maurya Kerr; the return of FLOCK - Alice Klock and Florian Lochner; and Maleek Washington creating and premiering works that move dance forward.
"Witnessing Kaufmann Concert Hall revive its dance heartbeat with the creative visionaries of today was a dream come true last season," comments Taryn Kaschock Russell, Director of the Harkness Dance Center. "The life energy brought back onto our historic stage during the inaugural Mainstage Series was clearly inspired by the voices of the past but also empowered to move the artform forward. Once again, dance at 92NY has become a platform for firsts and the future of dance."
2022 FUTURE DANCE FESTIVAL Finalists Announced by 92Y
92Y has announced 21 finalists for the 2022 Future Dance Festival. Created by Harkness Dance Center director Taryn Kaschock Russell, the Future Dance Festival is a choreographic competition aiming to give new creators an opportunity to showcase their work.
Q+A with The Dance Enthusiast
THE DANCE ENTHUSIAST ASKS: Taryn Kaschock Russell, Director of 92Y Harkness Dance Center, on Kurt Jooss' Anti-War Ballet "The Green Table".
92Y Harkness Dance Center Announces 2021-22 Season
The Mainstage Series marks the return of a full Harkness Dance Center season in Kaufmann Concert Hall in nearly 50 years. "The history of modern dance is filled with works created at and first seen by audiences at the 92nd Street Y," comments Taryn Kaschock Russell, Director of the Harkness Dance Center. "The energy and legacy of this creativity inspired this season, as we again provide a platform for firsts, for pioneers, for the future."
Dance Returns to a Historic Stage – Ours
A conversation with Harkness Dance Center Director Taryn Kaschock Russell about 92Y’s new Harkness Mainstage Series. “The pioneers of modern dance were creating their work and taking risks on the stage of Kaufmann Concert Hall before anyone had even heard their names,” says Harkness Dance Center Director Taryn Kaschock Russell. “I thought, ‘There are amazing artists who are pushing the art form forward now. They need to be on this stage.’”
92Y Harkness Dance Center Announces 2021-22 Season
The Mainstage Series marks the return of a full Harkness Dance Center season in Kaufmann Concert Hall in nearly 50 years. "The history of modern dance is filled with works created at and first seen by audiences at the 92nd Street Y," comments Taryn Kaschock Russell, Director of the Harkness Dance Center. "The energy and legacy of this creativity inspired this season, as we again provide a platform for firsts, for pioneers, for the future."
Dance performance returns to Buttenwieser Hall
On Friday, December 4, dancers came back to Buttenwieser Hall to perform for the first time since the pandemic closed our doors on March 16. Sidra Bell Dance New York and acclaimed saxophonist, composer and arranger Immanuel Wilkins were there to share a first version of their new work in progress, waiting.
Underneath their masks and an extensive safety protocol, our Harkness Dance Center director Taryn Kaschock Russell said the dancers and musicians were filled with a buzzing energy, just being in the room together.
Dorrance Dance and Shamel Pitts/TRIBE: our new dance artists in residence
Award-winning tap dance company Dorrance Dance, and choreographer/dancer/ performance artist Shamel Pitts and his Brooklyn-based arts collective TRIBE, are the 92Y Harkness Dance Center’s Artists in Residence for the 2020-2021 season. Center Director Taryn Kaschock Russell explains why their work is so meaningful at this moment.
Broadway World August 13, 2020
Dorrance Dance and Shamel Pitts/TRIBE Named as 92Y 2020-21 Artists in Residence
Harkness Dance Center director Taryn Kaschock Russell notes "During this crucial time when most artists have-unfortunately-found their audiences, performance spaces, and earning potential all evaporate overnight, we wanted to provide a platform for inspirational voices to be amplified - which is why we're especially proud to name Dorrance Dance and TRIBE as this year's Artists in Residence so that they are able to continue to bring their message of inclusion and representation to audiences around the world."
Dance Magazine June 20, 2020
What the Pandemic Has Given Us
Given the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the dance field, it can be easy to get caught up in all that's been taken away from us. But just focusing on the loss doesn't offer the full picture of what's actually happened.
Recently, I hopped on a Zoom call organized by Harkness Dance Center director Taryn Kaschock Russell where an array of artists and admins from across the country answered the question, "What has this time given you?"
Playbill August 28, 2019
92Y Taps Juilliard Dance Director Taryn Kaschock Russell to Lead Harkness Dance Center
The 92Y has selected recent Juilliard Dance Division Acting Artistic Director Taryn Kaschock Russell to serve as the new Director of the Harkness Dance Center, which has been an integral incubator for new forms of dance since its founding 85 years ago.
Dance Land September 3, 2019
Juilliard Dance Division’s Acting Artistic Director Taryn Kaschock Russell Named New Director Of The Harkness Dance Center
“As a dance educator and director, I seek to inspire individuals to reach their full potential and I am honored to continue my work to expand access to dance and the arts at one of the most esteemed and innovative dance centers in the world,” said Taryn Kaschock Russell, incoming Director of The Harkness Dance Center. “I’m committed to building on Harkness’ legacy as an inclusive arts institution to share the transformative power of dance with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.”
Dance Teacher September 6, 2018
Juilliard's Taryn Kaschock Russell Shares What It's Like to Be a Dancer With Scoliosis
Dance Teacher: What are the challenges dancers with scoliosis face?
Taryn Kaschock Russell: There are a number of challenges that go along with your internal architecture not matching any specific line you're supposed to be able to make in dance. Pretty much nothing in ballet class works with how my back and body is. It took creativity and imagination to try to figure out how to execute lines and movement to make them look similar to what was being asked of me. It made me look at what movement does for ballet rather than just looking at a position and trying to emulate it.