Business Details
35 Years
experience
Premier Contemporary Dance Performances & Education in Philadelphia
Koresh Dance has been a cornerstone of Philadelphia's cultural landscape since 1991, dedicated to advancing dance as a transformative art form. Our mission is realized through three pillars: captivating performances that showcase technical excellence, community outreach programs that democratize access to dance, and educational initiatives that nurture future generations of artists. Founded by internationally acclaimed choreographer Ronen Koresh, we blend ballet, modern, and jazz techniques to create emotionally resonant works that have toured globally.Our Koresh Kids Dance program provides free dance education to underserved Philadelphia public schools, while our Artist Showcase and Come Together Dance Festival amplify local emerging talent. With decades of experience and a commitment to innovation, we bridge artistic excellence with community engagement, making dance accessible to diverse audiences.
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Koresh Kids Dance
Artist Showcase
Community Outreach
Adult Dance Classes
Youth Ensemble
Dance Education
National Tours
International Tours
Come Together Festival
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience creating internationally acclaimed contemporary dance works
- Our Koresh Kids Dance program provides free arts education to Philadelphia public schools
- We offer professional development opportunities through our Artist Showcase and Come Together Dance Festival
- Our company tours nationally and internationally while maintaining a strong local presence
- We combine technical excellence with emotional storytelling in every performance
What people say
Critically acclaimed works
Technically superb dancers
Life-changing education
Community enrichment
Emotionally charged choreography
Services
Contemporary Dance Performances
Our company presents critically acclaimed contemporary dance works blending ballet, modern, and jazz techniques. With over 40 original pieces in our repertoire, we tour nationally and internationally while maintaining biannual Philadelphia seasons. Our performances feature technically superb dancers in emotionally charged works that have earned praise from Dance Magazine and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Koresh Kids Dance
This free program provides weekly dance instruction to Philadelphia public school students in grades 2-5. Our curriculum teaches fundamental techniques while fostering creativity, self-confidence, and teamwork. Since 2006, we've reached over 700 students annually through partnerships with local schools, culminating in annual performances that showcase student choreography and life skills development.
Artist Showcase
Our quarterly David Cooper Black Box Theater showcases feature emerging local choreographers and dance companies. This initiative provides performance opportunities for regional artists while connecting audiences with diverse dance styles. Past participants include Alchemy Dance Company and Project Moshen, with affordable $15 tickets making contemporary dance accessible to all.
Adult Dance Classes
The Koresh School of Dance offers over 20 weekly adult classes in various styles for all skill levels. From beginner ballet to advanced contemporary modern, our drop-in classes provide fitness, technical training, and artistic exploration. Flexible pricing options include single classes, multi-class cards, and a 3-class introductory offer for new students.
Come Together Festival
Philadelphia's largest annual dance festival showcases over 40 local companies across five nights of performances. Featuring genres from tap to hip hop, this community-building event includes educational components and professional development opportunities. The festival highlights both established favorites like Philadelphia Ballet and emerging regional talent in an inclusive, collaborative environment.
People
Ronen Koresh
Artistic Director
Founder of Koresh Dance in 1991, Ronen is celebrated for blending ballet, modern, and jazz into emotionally charged works. With over 40 original pieces in our repertoire, he has established an international reputation for technically demanding choreography that tours globally while maintaining a strong Philadelphia presence.
Alon Koresh
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Alon oversees the company's administrative operations and strategic direction. With deep institutional knowledge gained through years of leadership, he ensures the organization's sustainability while supporting its artistic mission through effective management and community partnerships.
Melissa Rector
Assistant Artistic Director
A company member since 1991, Melissa teaches her unique blend of modern jazz and Luigi technique at the Koresh School. She directs the Youth Ensemble, setting original choreography and company repertory, and frequently travels nationally to teach master classes and set choreography on students.
Lindey Jaynes
Outreach Director
Lindey leads our community engagement initiatives, including the Koresh Kids Dance program. With extensive experience in dance education, she develops curriculum that connects classroom learning with dance instruction while fostering creativity and life skills in Philadelphia's public schools.
Nir Koresh
School Director
As School Director, Nir oversees dance education programs that serve both recreational and pre-professional students. He manages faculty and curriculum development for youth and adult programs, ensuring high-quality instruction that aligns with the company's artistic standards and educational mission.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach in adult classes?
Our adult drop-in classes include contemporary jazz, modern, ballet, hip hop, and musical theatre styles for all skill levels.
How does the Koresh Kids Dance program work?
We provide free weekly dance instruction to Philadelphia public schools, teaching fundamental techniques while connecting dance to life skills development for grades 2-5.
Can local artists participate in your showcases?
Yes! Our quarterly Artist Showcase features emerging talent through open calls, providing performance opportunities and audience connections in our Black Box Theater.
What is your company's performance schedule?
We present biannual Philadelphia seasons and tour nationally and internationally. Check our website for specific dates and locations of upcoming performances.
Do you offer dance classes for beginners?
Yes! We offer beginner-level classes in multiple styles with experienced instructors, plus a 3-class introductory offer for new students.
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