Biography
Dina Denis
Dina Denis is a dancer, teacher and choreographer from Queens, NY. She holds a BA in Dance from Hofstra University and an MA in Dance Education from New York University. Dina is a New York State certified dance educator, grades K-12 and a certified Zena Rommett Floor-Barre instructor. She is the Dance Department Director and Teacher at the Long Island High School for the Arts in Syosset, NY. Dina has also spent time mentoring and teaching future dance educators within Hunter College 's Arnhold Graduate Dance Education Program.
Dina Denis most recently performed with Anabella Lenzu/DanceDrama. Dina began her professional dance career with Robin Becker Dance and has performed with Anabella Lenzu/DanceDrama, Douglas Dunn and Dancers, Joan Miller's Dance Players, Robin Becker Dance, Sheila Kaminsky, Martian Roumain, Dr. Glory Van Scott, Joan Peters, Val Suarez and her own dance company, Dina Denis Dance / Dance Into Light, Inc.
Dance Into Light, Inc.
Dance Into Light, Inc. aka DIL, founded by Artistic Director Dina Denis, is a vehicle for bringing dance performance, lessons, discussions and choreography to various communities throughout Queens and the greater New York area. DIL uses dance as an avenue for personal healing, a means for self-expression and as an approach toward building confidence in young and seasoned performers as well as those with a curiosity for dance.
Dina has choreographed over 20 original pieces which have been presented in in performance spaces, schools, universities, libraries and museums in New York City, Long Island, Chicago, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio and Colorado. She has collaborated with dancers, musicians and visual artists such as Siona Benjamin to explore her interests in human and spiritual conditions along with the portrayal of narratives through dance. In addition to its creative work, the Company has become known for its work with seniors through performances and dance classes at nursing homes and senior centers such as the Benjamin Rosenthal Prince Street Senior Center.
Dance Into Light has received support from a consistent audience base along with the Queens Council on the Arts' re-grants program from the New York State Council on the Arts, Department of Cultural Affairs, JP Morgan Chase and Department for the Aging. Other received has been from community organizations such as Astoria Federal Bank, Topaz Arts, and New York City Council Member Peter Koo. DIL has been presented at various venues such as LaGuardia College Performing Arts Center, Langston Hughes Library, Volker Orth Museum and Bird Sanctuary, Green Space's “Blooms Festival” and “Take Root” series, Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre's Free Sunday Performing Arts and the Queensborough Dance Festival at the Secret Theatre and Long Island City's Lot Fest and Gantry Plaza State Park.
"Dance energizes, inspires and uplifts our spirits. It incites thought, joy and relieves stress for dancers and audiences alike. Dance awakens an innate creative force to heal and help build communities that advance and enrich our lives"
~Dina Denis
Photo credits: Aehee Kang Asano