Dorrance Dance
Dorrance Dance is a 501c3 nonprofit tap dance company founded in 2011 by MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance, producing and touring original choreography with live music across 30+ US and international venues annually and serving over 6,000 students through education programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Dorrance Dance does
Dorrance Dance is a 501c3 nonprofit tap dance company founded in 2011 and headquartered in New York City. Founded by Artistic Director Michelle Dorrance, a 2015 MacArthur Fellow, the company produces and tours original choreography that integrates tap dance with live music, often featuring performers who double as musicians and improvisers. Its active repertory of more than 20 original works includes SOUNDspace (2013), ETM: Double Down (2016, built around proprietary electronic tap instruments designed by Nicholas Van Young), Myelination (2017), The Nutcracker Suite (2019), and The Center Will Not Hold (2023, a collaboration with street/club dance choreographer Ephrat 'Bounce' Asherie).
The company monetizes its work through four revenue streams: (1) performance fees from institutional presenters booked via the WME agency, generating an annual touring calendar of 30+ venues across the US and international markets in Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Singapore; (2) fees from educational programs including the annual NYC Tap Dance Intensive and community workshops serving over 6,000 students annually; (3) recurring individual donations through tiered giving circles ($1,000-$10,000 annual); and (4) institutional grants from a diversified base of foundations and government funders including the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, NYSCA, Harkness Foundation, and Howard Gilman Foundation. The dual-tier GTM combines enterprise field sales to presenters and event-driven audience development through festival appearances and education programming, reaching 30,000+ audience members annually.
Operationally, the company is led by Artistic Director Michelle Dorrance with Executive Director Adriana J. Ray and an 8-member Board of Directors, and maintains an 11-50 staff complement including production, education, and administrative functions. Key commissioning and presenting partners include The Joyce Theater, New York City Center, Jacob's Pillow, Danspace Project, Kennedy Center, The Yard, Cal Performances at UC Berkeley, 92Y Harkness Dance Center, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Dorrance Dance is recognized as the pre-eminent American tap dance company, with multiple Bessie Awards, Dance Magazine '25 To Watch' honorees, and sustained critical coverage in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post.
Dorrance Dance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dorrance Dance
- Legal name
- Dorrance Dance, Inc.
- Website
- https://dorrancedance.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dorrance Dance is a 501c3 nonprofit tap dance company founded in 2011 by MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance, producing and touring original choreography with live music across 30+ US and international venues annually and serving over 6,000 students through education programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dorrance Dance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts / Dance Company
- NAICS
- Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre Dance (MPAGADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB), Urban/Street Dance Performances (Hip-Hop, Breaking) (MPAGADAF), Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where Dorrance Dance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Dorrance Dance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Performance/Booking Fees: Revenue from presenting performances at theaters, festivals, and venues. The company books productions through WME agency for institutional presenters and receives fees for performances at venues like The Joyce Theater, Jacob's Pillow, Kennedy Center, and international engagements.
- Education Programs: Fees from educational activities including the annual NYC Tap Dance Intensive for pre-professional dancers, workshops, master classes, lecture demonstrations, and school performances. The company reaches over 6,000 students annually through these programs.
- Individual Donations: Charitable contributions at giving levels: Friends Circle ($1,000), Educators Circle ($2,500), Artists Circle ($5,000), and Choreographers Circle ($10,000). Benefits include rehearsal invitations, concierge ticketing, exclusive events, meet-and-greets, and one-on-one time with choreographers.
- Institutional Grants: Support from foundations and government entities including Harkness Foundation, NYSCA, Howard Gilman Foundation, Hyde and Watson Foundation, and One World Fund. The company operates as a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Friends Circle membership at $1,000 level supports ongoing operations |
| Subscription | Annual | Educators Circle at $2,500 level supports training next generation |
| Subscription | Annual | Artists Circle at $5,000 level supports one week of rehearsal fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Choreographers Circle at $10,000 level supports creation of new work |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Dorrance Dance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dorrance Dance is a New York City-based tap dance company that creates, produces, and tours original tap dance performance productions featuring live music and site-specific choreography, and offers tap dance education programs including the annual NYC Tap Dance Intensive, workshops, master classes, and public school lecture demonstrations. The company operates as a 501c3 nonprofit, presenting at over 100 venues internationally and reaching 30,000+ audience members and 6,000+ students annually.
Product overview
Dorrance Dance is an award-winning tap dance company offering a portfolio of distinct live performance productions and educational programs. Core productions include SOUNDspace (2013), The Blues Project (2013), ETM: Double Down (2016), Myelination (2017), All Good Things Come to an End (2018), The Nutcracker Suite (2019), 45th & 8th (2022), and The Center Will Not Hold (2023). Educational services include the annual NYC Tap Dance Intensive, Workshops and Community Engagement programs, and NYC Public School Lecture Demonstrations. The company operates as a performing arts organization rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SOUNDspace A critically acclaimed tap dance production originally created in 2013 as a site-specific work exploring the unique acoustics of St. Mark's Church. Has been adapted for various venues and continues to explore tap dance as movement as music. Set for 15th Anniversary return to Danspace Project in July 2026.
- The Blues Project A tap dance production co-created in 2013 by Michelle Dorrance, Derick K. Grant, Toshi Reagon, and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards. Won the 2015 Bessie Award for Outstanding Production. An innovative evening of rhythm, original live music, and explosive energy exploring the relationship between music, sound, and movement.
- ETM: Double Down A tap dance production premiered in 2016 using original tap 'instruments' designed by Nicholas Van Young. The dancers act as both performers and musicians, embodying visual and aural elements. Run time: 80 minutes with intermission. Performed in 18 states and 8 countries.
- Myelination A full-company tap dance work premiered in 2017 featuring original live music by Donovan Dorrance and Gregory Richardson with vocalist Aaron Marcellus. Includes Three to One (2011) and Jungle Blues (2012). Run time: 64 minutes with live music. Commissioned in part by Cal Performances (UC Berkeley).
- All Good Things Come to an End A tap dance production premiered in 2018, co-created by Michelle Dorrance, Hannah Heller, Melinda Sullivan, and Josette Wiggan-Freund. Set to Fats Waller music, it imagines the last quartet of traveling vaudeville performers. Run time: 36 minutes, 4 dancers.
- The Nutcracker Suite A holiday tap dance production set to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's 1960 reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Created by Michelle Dorrance with collaborators Hannah Heller and Josette Wiggan. Transforms the classic into a jazzy tap celebration.
- The Center Will Not Hold An evening-length collaborative work created by Michelle Dorrance and Ephrat 'Bounce' Asherie. Features 11 performers rooted in street, club, and vernacular dances including house, breaking, hip hop, tap, Chicago footwork, Detroit jit, litefeet, Memphis jookin, and body percussion. Original music by Donovan Dorrance with live percussion by John Angeles.
- 45th & 8th A tap dance production premiered in 2022 featuring original compositions by Aaron Marcellus. The work is a musical and emotional journey featuring 6 dancers and 4 musicians. Run time: 35 minutes.
- Basses Loaded A tap dance production premiered in 2019 featuring four bassists and four tap dancers. Commissioned by New York City Center. Choreography for all performers with solo improvisation by dancers.
- NYC Tap Dance Intensive An annual winter intensive for pre-professional dancers held in NYC. Participants learn current company repertory with Dorrance Dance company members. Includes technique, company repertory, improvisation, new choreography, sessions with musicians, and tap history discussions. No audition required.
- Workshops and Community Engagement Educational offerings including tap dance master classes, body percussion workshops, house/breaking workshops, lecture demonstrations, and student performances. Reaches over 6,000 students annually spanning all ages, levels, and abilities.
- NYC Public School Lecture Demonstrations Performances for public school students featuring high-energy, interactive 60-minute programs with Dorrance Dance apprentices and company members. Reaches local communities with artistic work in nontraditional and educational settings, in partnership with the NYC Department of Education.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reaches over 30,000 audience members annually through performances
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Dorrance Dance
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Dorrance Dance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Dorrance Dance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and important.
- WME (William Morris Endeavor)coreWME serves as the primary booking agency for Dorrance Dance, representing the company for institutional presentations and touring engagements. Barbara Frum is the artist representative handling booking inquiries.
- Danspace ProjectcoreDanspace Project at Saint Mark's Church is a key commissioning and presenting partner. SOUNDspace was created through their 2012-2013 Commissioning Initiative with support from NYSCA. The company returns to Danspace for its 15th Anniversary season.
- Jacob's PillowcoreMajor partner providing residencies, presenting opportunities, and commissioning support. ETM: Double Down was developed during Creative Development Residency. Multiple works including The Blues Project premiered at Jacob's Pillow.
- New York City CentercoreKey commissioning partner that has commissioned multiple works including Basses Loaded, Myelination, and Harlequin & Pantalone. Venue for Fall for Dance Festival presentations.
- 92Y Harkness Dance CenterimportantEducation partnership for workshops, outreach, and master classes. Location for Untitled Waveforms residency and ongoing educational programming.
- Brooklyn Academy of MusicimportantEducation partnership for dance education programs and community engagement initiatives.
- The Joyce TheatercoreKey presenting partner and venue for New York seasons. Provided residency for ETM: Double Down development with major funding from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
- The YardimportantResidency provider for ETM: Double Down development during 2015 Yard Offshore Creation Residency.
- Cal Performances (UC Berkeley)importantCommissioning partner for Myelination and ongoing international touring presenter.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Dorrance Dance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Ephrat Asherie Dance: Ephrat 'Bounce' Asherie's company is a Bessie-winning urban/vernacular dance ensemble and direct collaborator with Dorrance Dance on The Center Will Not Hold. Emerging player in adjacent street/club dance category.
- Tapestry Dance Company: Tapestry Dance Company (Austin, TX) is a tap-focused company under Acia Gray that Adriana Ray (Dorrance Dance Executive Director) performed with. Emerging regional peer in the tap dance category with overlapping artistic lineage.
Direct peers
- Savion Glover: Savion Glover is one of the most prominent tap dance performers and choreographers, and Michelle Dorrance herself performed with his company ti dii. Direct peer in the tap dance category competing for similar presenter slots and audiences.
- Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company: Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane is a Tony- and Bessie-awarded contemporary dance company that combines dance with live music and has a deep education/community engagement footprint. Direct peer in scale and programming model.
- STOMP: STOMP is a long-running percussive dance production that combines movement with found-sound music; Dorrance herself performed in STOMP. Direct peer in the rhythm-driven, percussive dance and live-music category.
- Pilobolus: Pilobolus is a Connecticut-based contemporary dance company known for inventive choreography and large-scale touring with extensive education programming. Direct peer in approach to original work creation and presenter engagement model.
- Mark Morris Dance Group: Mark Morris Dance Group is a major contemporary dance company that integrates live music with choreography and tours internationally. Direct peer as a similarly sized ensemble dance company competing for the same presenter slots and donor base.
- Paul Taylor Dance Company: Paul Taylor is a major American modern dance company touring internationally with a deep repertory. Direct peer competing for major presenter engagements, foundation grants, and dance-patron donations.
- Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Hubbard Street is a contemporary dance company that tours nationally with a varied repertory and strong education/outreach arm. Direct peer with comparable touring footprint and institutional funder profile.
Broad incumbents
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Alvin Ailey is the dominant modern dance institution in the U.S. with a large repertory, school, and national/international touring. Broad incumbent offering competing presenter attention at the same major venues (Joyce, City Center, Kennedy Center).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dorrance Dance social profiles
Digital presenceDorrance Dance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dorrance Dance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Dorrance Dance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dorrance Dance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dorrance Dance
What does Dorrance Dance do?
Dorrance Dance is a New York City-based tap dance company that creates, produces, and tours original tap dance performance productions featuring live music and site-specific choreography, and offers tap dance education programs including the annual NYC Tap Dance Intensive, workshops, master classes, and public school lecture demonstrations. The company operates as a 501c3 nonprofit, presenting at over 100 venues internationally and reaching 30,000+ audience members and 6,000+ students annually.
Is Dorrance Dance a public or private company?
Dorrance Dance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Dorrance Dance founded?
Dorrance Dance was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dorrance Dance based?
Dorrance Dance is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dorrance Dance make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Performance/Booking Fees are the primary driver. The others are education Programs, individual Donations and institutional Grants.
Who are Dorrance Dance's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Ephrat Asherie Dance and Tapestry Dance Company. Direct peers are Savion Glover, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, STOMP, Pilobolus, Mark Morris Dance Group, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Dorrance Dance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dorrance Dance.
What industry is Dorrance Dance in?
Dorrance Dance's product category is Performing Arts / Dance Company. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGADAG, Tap, Jazz & Musical Theatre Dance, with a secondary code of MPAGADAB, Contemporary & Modern Dance. Its NAICS code is 711120 and its SIC code is 7990.