Welcome to the 22nd anniversary of the National Choreographers Initiative! We are excited to be sharing the joy and creative process of dance with you. Thank you for joining us and supporting the artists and their collaborations.
We are celebrating all the choreographers and dancers that have participated in the past! Over the 22 years with NCI and 13 years of the Pacifica Choreographic Project/Ballet Pacifica, we have hosted 136 choreographers (53 women), 215 dancers from 61 different companies. We have showcased new works, many of which have been produced by companies throughout the United States and abroad. It has been wonderful to see the careers of the choreographers and dancers develop into roles as directors, choreographers and dancers with many companies.
When I first began the initiative, I wanted to create a laboratory that would foster the development of new works without the strict deadlines and expectations of a premiere.
This project is made possible through the vision and commitment of the NCI Advisory Committee. The partnership with Irvine Barclay Theatre has been central to the success of NCI, as they act as our fiscal agent and present the Discovery showing. We are also grateful to UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts - Dance Department, which provides the studio space for our rehearsals.
NCI’s Discovery showing features new work from four returning and innovative choreographers – Emily Adams (2022), Julia Feldman (2019), DaYoung Jung (2024) and Sarah Tallman (2015) – created during a three-week intensive process with 16 professional dancers from 10 different companies and freelance work. I hope you will engage in our creative process and share your thoughts with us at the reception following the performance in the IBT lobby/patio.
I extend my sincere thanks to all of the individual donors who contribute to this project! We could not do NCI without your support and involvement!
Thank you for joining us and for supporting dance!
NCI DISCOVERY '26
22nd Anniversary
Molly Lynch: Artistic Director
Monique L’Heureux: Production Director/Lighting Designer
Kaity Kistler: Costume Coordinator
Brooke Lester-Lawsin: Assistant & Social Media
Skye Schmidt Varga: Photographer
Aaron Cota: Videographer
Choreographers
Emily Adams, Julia Feldman, DaYoung Jung, Sarah Tallman
Dancers
Iori Araya, Gabrielle Collins, Alyssa Eyster, Amelia Grubb Hillman, Lucia Lorenzo, Alyssa Manguiat, Darcy McLoughlin, Gabrielle Mengden
Nicolas Bierwagen, Julian Goodwin-Ferris, Logan Hillman, Rhys Hudson, Marco Lorenzo-Giguere, Trevor PinterParsons, Ian Rotheroe, Michael Stadtherr
PROGRAM
Moondog
Choreographer: Julia Feldman
Music by: Moondog, with additional works and interpretation by Ghost Train & Kronos Quartet, Stefan Lakatos, Dominique Ponty, and François Mardirossian
Tracks in order: Theme – All; Canon 2, Op. 67; Dragon Scale Pattern; Trees Against the Sky; Mother's Whistler, Chaconne in C Major; Barn Dance; Caribea; Lament I, "Bird's Lament"
Dancers: Iori Araya, Amelia Grubb Hillman, Gabrielle Mengden, Nicolas Bierwagen, Julian Goodwin-Ferris, Rhys Hudson, Marco Lorenzo-Giguere
Movement 1: All
Movement 2: Iori Araya
Movement 3: Nicolas Bierwagen & Gabrielle Mengden
Movement 4: Julian Goodwin-Ferris & Rhys Hudson with all
Movement 5: Amelia Grubb Hillman & Iori Araya
Movement 6: Marco Lorenzo-Giguere & Nicolas Bierwagen
Movement 7: Iori Araya, Rhys Hudson, Julian Goodwin-Ferris
Movement 8: All
Rehearsal Assistant: Gabrielle Collins
untitled
Choreographer: Emily Adams
Original music by: Katy Jarzebowski
Sound mix by: Pete Horner
Dancers
Michael Stadtherr
Trevor PinterParsons
Ian Rotheroe
Logan Hillman
Darcy McLoughlin
Alyssa Manguiat
Alyssa Eyster
Lucia Lorenzo
-INTERMISSION-
Tenacious
Choreographer: DaYoung Jung
Music by: Ezio Bosso: “Rain, in Your Black Eyes” & Christian Svarfvar: Recomposed by Johan Ullén: “Bach, Violin Concerto in G minor BWV 1056R: III. Presto”
Dancers: Iori Araya, Lucia Lorenzo, Darcy McLoughlin, Alyssa Manguiat, Logan Hillman, Rhys Hudson, Marco Lorenzo-Giguere, Michael Stadtherr
So Long, Mr. Selfish
Choreographer: Sarah Tallman
Music by: Jeff Toyne & Ricky Martin: “Baby Shiba,” “Palm Royale Main Title,” “You’re a Liar,” “Path to Personal Glory,” “Back to the Bank,” “Sweet Lovely Linda,” Keep the Lights ON,” “I’m Comin’ Home”
Dancers: Amelia Grubb, Gabrielle Mengden, Alyssa Eyster, Nicolas Bierwagen, Julian Goodwin-Ferris, Trevor PinterParsons, Ian Rotheroe
Rehearsal Assistant: Gabrielle Collins
Sophie Cripe, chair
Ellen Breitman
Bobbi Cox
Diane Diefenderfer
Gale Edelberg
Diane Silber
Jenny Szabo
Lynn Weiser
National Choreographers Initiative 2026
Molly Lynch, Artistic Director
The National Choreographers Initiative would like to thank the following individuals for their support of the 2026 project:
Honorary Producer
Bobbi Cox
Joanne and Dennis Keith
Barbara Roberts
Michelle Rohé
Richard and Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund
Choreographer Sponsor
Terry Causey
Sophie and Larry Cripe
Judi Gorski
Diane Silber
Dancer Sponsor
Ellen Breitman and Brien Amspoker
James Carter
Croul Family Foundation
Janet and Henry Eggers
Mary and Andrew Franklin
Artistic Sponsor
Alan Andrews and Molly Lynch
Betsy Andrews and Alex Moad
Diane Diefenderfer and David Hanlon
Gale Edelberg and Bob Butnik
Gillian Finley and Robert Labaree
Carol Hamilton
Nancy and Ned Kriz
Dr. Rosalyn Laudati and Dr. James Pick
Kathryn Lynch and Robert McDonnell
Rachelle Menaker and Eddie Schuller
Marica Pendjer and John Miller
Andrew Rose
Sally Anne and Don Sheridan
Paula Tomei and David Emmes
Lynn Weiser and Mike Tompkins
Patron Sponsor
Dr. Michael Bear
Stacie Brandt
Laurie and Bart Brown
Gail and Denis Kalscheur
David Carmichael
Joseph Herron and Dana Klein
Chuck Johnston
Margi and John Murray
Diana Putz
Kim Smith
Jenny Szabo
Karen and Gary Thorne
Barbara and Jack Tingley
Dance Shoe Sponsor
Diane and Dennis Baker
Darci Bodin
Bronny Daniels
Roberta Fox
Sharon McNalley
Ivar Roth, Concierge Podiatry & Spa
Katy and Jack Schoellerman
Ann and Richard Sim
Linda and Steve Weitz
Dance Partner
Ellen Fujikawa
Mike Kerr and Jenny Backhaus
Maurice and Alexandra Mandel
Edward McPherson
Rita Mitchell
Mitsuhiko and Reiko Nakano
Dr. Janice Gudde Plastino
Rosalind Russell
Joseph Sheridan
Dan & Jeanne Stokols
Robert Strang
Mary Vensel White
Update as of 7/14/26
DONATE TODAY
Please consider making a donation to support the work of the National Choreographers Initiative. We need your contributions to support the dancers and choreographers involved in the project. Be an angel to the arts-dance! Thank you!
Send your donation to: NCI 3334 E. Coast Hwy #276, Corona del Mar CA 92625
2025 Choreographers
Natasha Adorlee
Glenn Edgerton
Makino Hayashi
Morgan Sicklick
2024 Choreographers
Charles Askegard
Cherice Barton
DaYoung Jung
Donna Salgado
2023 Choreographers
Kristopher Estes-Brown
Ye Li
Ian Schwaner
Carrie Ruth Trumbo
2022 Choreographers
Emily Adams
Leiland Charles
Jennifer Hart
Gina Patterson
2021 Choreographers
Sean Aaron Carmon
Mari Meade
Katarzyna Skarpetowska
Eva Stone
2019 Choreographers
Julia Feldman
Alan Hineline
Alex Ketley
Tom Mattingly
2018 Choreographers
Kevin Jenkins
David Justine
Ilya Kozadayev
Mariana Oliveira
2017 Choreographers
Suzanne Haag
Robert Mills
Penny Saunders
Christopher Stuart
2016 Choreographers
Tom Gold
Nicole Haskins
Stepanie Martinez
Ben Needham-Wood
2015 Choreographers
Nicolas Blanc
Norberto De La Cruz
Jimmy Orrante
Sarah Tallman
2014 Choreographers
Barry Kerollis
Gabrielle Lamb
Philip Neal
Garrett Smith
2013 Choreographers
David Fernandez
Susan McCullough
Kitty McNamee
Petr Zahradnicek
2012 Choreographers
Melissa Barak
Thang Dao
Darrell Grand Moultrie
Wendy Seyb
2011 Choreographers
Brian Enos
Heather Maloy
Peter Pucci
Paula Weber
2010 Choreographers
Anne Marie DeAngelo
Helen Heineman
Viktor Kabaniaev
Peter Quanz
2009 Choreographers
Sidra Bell
Deanna Carter
Rick McCullough
Olivier Wevers
2008 Choreographers
Amy Seiwert
Edmund Stripe
Emery LeCrone
Ma Cong
2007 Choreographers
Melissa Barak
Frank Chaves
Edwaard Liang
Jerry Opdenaker
2006 Choreographers
Ron De Jesus
Graham Lustig
Charles Moulton
Gina Patterson
2005 Choreographers
Val Caniparoli
Christopher d'Amboise
William Soleau
Luca Veggetti
2004 Choreographers
Ann Marie DeAngelo
Peter Pucci
James Sewell
Lynne Taylor-Corbett
Public Partners
City of Irvine and UC Irvine
Official Health Care Partner
UCI Health
Corporate Sponsor
Haskell & White LLP
$100,000+
Paul and Bonnie Lubock
$50, 000+
Tom and Mayumi Adams
Thomas Rogers and Sally Anderson
Worah Family Foundation
$25, 000-$49, 999
Clifford and Jennifer Cheng
Gerrit and Amy Cole Foundation
The Hiland Foundation
Bill and Carolyn Klein
The Richard and Elizabeth Steele Fund
Judy and Wes Whitmore
$10, 000 -$24,999
Gregory Bates and Joann Leatherby
Eugene and Carol Choi
Paul and Anne Devore
Farhang Foundation
David and Trudi Gartley
Mike Gordon
Haskell & White LLP
Harason Horowitz
Mark Chapin Johnson Foundation
Terry and Judy Jones
Mike Kerr and Jenny Backhaus
Jerry and Whitney Mandel
Goran Matijasevic
William and Janice Parker Family Fund
William and Pat Podlich
Robert E. Romney
Richard and Cheryll Ruszat – Montessori Schools of Irvine
Mary Watson-Bruce
Greg Zaret
$5, 000 - $9, 999
Stephen and Mary Auerbach
Robert and Lillyan Cendejas
Rohit Deshpande and Anita Watumull
Gary Fabian and Deb Solon
Chuck and Janet Henze
Jack and Joy Kayajanian
Robert Kazer and Jill Richter
Ken and Chantelle Labowe - Labowe Family Foundation
Josh Martin, Emerald Real Estate Partners, and Tom Politowski
Natalie Miles
Tom Newmeyer
Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation
James and Lynn Payne
Jill M. Prentice
Christopher and Lynne Ramsey
Salwa Rizkalla
Adreana Souleles
Craig and Kirsten Springer
Alexander and Sachiyo Stimpson
Andrew Vollero
Ms. Renee Walter
Brian and Beth West
$2,500 - $4, 999
Terri Beber and Terry McDonald
Ellen Breitman and Brien Amspoker
Terry Causey
Alice and Dennis Creighton
Albert and Anne Encinias
Arlene and Steven Fienberg
Douglas and Kathleen Forde
Greg and Sumie Haase
Michael and Charisse Lyseight
Patricia M. McIntyre Foundation Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation
Mark J. Nielsen
Marcia Novegrod
Arthur Ong and Ginger Sun
Bill and Joyce Perrone
Ron and Jan Redmond
Bob and Jo Anne Simon
Eric and Donna Stovner
Robert Zasa and Judy Amiano
$1,000 -$2,499
Beth and Michael Adler
Charlotte W. and Richard D. Alexander Charitable Foundation
Scott and Katherine Arbuckle
Diane and Dennis Baker
Brad Crosley
Gail Doe
Jeanne Egasse and Boyd Philpot
Francis and Ruby Foo
David and Judy Fukuda
Stanford Gertler
Gary Good and Jackie Charnley
Roger and Patt Grable
Mary Graham
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Dr. Elliott Kornhauser and Mr. Joe Baker
Rachel Levin
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Janis and Dave Murray
James Pick and Rosalyn Laudati
Diana Putz
Josh and Carolyn Roberts
Phil and Joy Ruggiero
Arkady and Ella Serebryannik
Sally Anne and Don Sheridan
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Robert and Veronica Start
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Kurt and Ellen Youngs
$500 -$999
Mark Achong
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$250 - $499
The Aber Group Inc
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Kenneth Reinhard and Julia Reinhard Lupton
Mr. and Mrs. Rivadeneyra
Dr. Stephen Rochford
Paul Schmidhauser and Cindy Hughes
Kris and Geraldine Shah
Richard and Ann Sim
Gary and Melanie Singer Charitable Fund
Dorothy J. Solinger
Tina Sommers-Bernhardt
Daniel and Jeanne Stokols
Sullivan Family
Kim Tang
Cindy Tyan
Alvin Umeda
Jeanne Villacorte
Beth Waterman
Carl and Deborah Weinert
Mark and Lou-Ann Weltman
Hemantha and Sophie Wickramasinghe
Jim and Sandra Williams
Dexter and Gisele Winzey
Kelley Yasbek
Andy and Wendy Yurcho
$100-$249
Brian and Gloria Abrams
Susan Adleman
Hoku and Kalani Aichele
Lillian Aranda
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Rosanne and William Beam
Melissa Beck and Daniel Pugh
Sally Bender
Stephen and Susan Billard
Chris Blank and Josie Badeaux
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Kerry and Paul Boulian
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In Memory of Irene DeNoia
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