Iyun Ashani Harrison is the artistic and executive director of Ballet Ashani. Born in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Harrison danced professionally with The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet Hispánico, The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, and Ailey II. His television credits include PBS' Setting the Stage 2007, NBC's 20th Hispanic Heritage Awards, PBS' Who's Dancin' Now?–Arts Education in Your Community, and The South Bank Show in England. Harrison's choreography has been commissioned by The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, Ailey School, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Collage Dance Collective, University of Florida, Pomona College, Goucher College, Webster University, Cornish College of the Arts, Jamaica School of Dance, and University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School (BFA) and Hollins University (MFA), a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation at Marymount University, and an Associate Professor of the Practice of Dance at Duke University.

Ballet Ashani, established in 2021 in Durham, NC, is a pioneering contemporary ballet company. It is dedicated to elevating the artistic brilliance and creative innovation of underrepresented voices in ballet. Our mission is to enrich the art form by increasing racial and cultural representation and engaging new, diverse audiences. Building on the legacy of Ashani Dances (2011–2018), which The Seattle Times praised for its director's "sophisticated musical tastes and masterful use of a bare stage," Ballet Ashani continues to contribute to the contemporary ballet canon. In 2023, Ballet Ashani premiered Giovanni's Room, a contemporary ballet adaptation of James Baldwin's seminal novel, at Duke University's von der Heyden Studio Theater. Harrison restaged the production in 2024 at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. The powerful adaptation brings Baldwin's evocative characters to life in modern-day Paris. The intimate ballet delves into the emotional journey of David as he navigates love, passion, and the complexities of his queer identity. Featuring an all-star cast of international ballet dancers, Giovanni's Room is set to the enchanting music of Maurice Ravel, with original contributions from Durham-based artists William Paul Thomas (video) and James Clotfelter (lighting) and Boston-based digital composer Aaron Brown. This dynamic collaboration creates an immersive and unforgettable experience, showcasing the transformative power of contemporary ballet.