KoDaFe
i KADA presents their annual festival called “KoDaFe” which stands for Korean Dance Festival.
in NYC
Korea (coming soon)
STAY TUNED FOR KoDaFe in NYC 2026!
"The life and essence of art –whether it be painting, music, or dance – lies in expressing through a wellspring of emotion the universal realm of the human spirit. It is a melding of the individual and the universal. That is why great art reaches out beyond ethnic and national barriers to move people all over the world."
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- Daisaku Ikeda
i KADA Contemporary Dance Company presents the annual international dance festival, “KoDaFe in NYC". Our festival unites artists, choreographers, and dancers from all around the world and offers a special cultural exchange.
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2026 Festival Choreographers
KoDaFe in NYC 2026 is proud to present the following talented choreographers!
Yukina Sato
Yukina Sato is a Japanese dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker whose work explores the dynamic interplay of movement and storytelling. Her artistic practice delves into the liminal space of cultural hybridity, capturing the unique experiences of living between two countries and navigating overlapping cultural landscapes. Yukina has collaborated with acclaimed performing artists and companies, including Abby Zbikowski (Abby Z + New Utilities), Carl Flink (Black Label Movement), Crystal Perkins (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company), Bebe Miller, and Diavolo – Architecture in Motion – among many others.
Feathers Dance Company / Tsubasa Nishioka
Founded in 2024 by New York-based choreographer and dancer Tsubasa Nishioka, Feathers Dance Company (FDC) creates contemporary dance works centered on the exploration of humanity through the body. FDC’s artistic vision blends the spiritual "presence" rooted in Japanese tradition with the multilayered expressive techniques of the New York dance scene. The company established an international presence in its inaugural year with the Tokyo premiere of Kibi Dango. In February 2026, FDC presented its first New York production, Nostalgia, at the prestigious KnJ Theater at Peridance Center. The performance reached near-capacity attendance, garnering significant attention for Nishioka’s unique choreographic vision and exceptional production management. As a performer, Nishioka has appeared on world-renowned stages, including the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (2025) and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2025). His choreographic work, Oasis, was selected for the 2026 SoloDuo Dance Festival in New York, and he has been recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan through his selection for their emerging artist festival. At the heart of FDC is a commitment to the "humanity" of its collaborators. By honoring the unique stories and lived experiences of each dancer, the company creates dynamic performances where individual energy expands to command the entire atmosphere of the theater.
Avenue M Dance Theater
Founded by Maia Virgil and Amanda Lindamood, Avenue M Dance Theater is a 501(c)3 nonprofit ballet company committed to producing original story ballets that reflect the current generation through a socially conscious lens. Amanda and Maia met through the NYU/ABT Masters Program and are both fully certified in the ABT National Training Curriculum. They currently teach throughout NYC and NJ from early childhood through adults and are very excited to be launching Avenue M Dance Theater together. They look forward to teaching joint classes and continue creating works that showcase the company's mission to foster joy through ballet!
Bridget Ryan Dance Company
​Bridget Ryan is the artistic director and founder of Bridget Ryan Dance Company. She is a New Jersey/ New York based choreographer, dancer and teacher. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude with minors in Dance and Applied Performance from Drew University. Bridget’s choreography has been shown throughout NJ/NY/PA. Such venues include The Martha Graham Studio Theatre, Dixon Place, Arts on Site, TADA! Theatre, The Chain Theatre, The Mill Ballet School alongside New York University, Montclair State University, Stockton University, Hunter College, Saint Elizabeth University and Drew University. Bridget has presented work as a guest choreographer for companies; Dance New Jersey, Jazz Choreography Enterprises, Koresh Dance Company, Emerging Artist Theatre, Roxey Ballet, White Wave Dance, Creative Performances, New York State Dance Education Association, DanceAction, Chutzpah Dance, Allegory Dance Theatre and Extensions Dance Project. Her choreography has been featured for non profit organizations such as The Support Network of Madison, Vision and Pathways and Morris County Survivors Speak. She has been an adjudicator with the National Dance Education Organization. Bridget has taught classes, workshops and intensives at dance studios across New Jersey. Follow her @bridgetryandancecompany & @_bridgetryan_
Stephen Hill / ChoreoJoey Project
Founded in 2014, the ChoreoJoey Project is an arts collective from New York City committed to the preservation and use of jazz and West African dance in harmony with poetry and storytelling. Their ballets have been presented at dance festivals in Detroit, Miami and across the U.S. Stephen Hill is the founding artistic director from Harlem. He’s earned a Dance B.A. from Lehman College and trained at Peridance, Cumbe, & Ailey. He’s previously danced for ModArts Dance Collective, Forces Of Nature Dance Theater, Sesame Carnival Flyers, and Earl Mosley Hearts of Men 2024.
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Cameron Kay / COSMOS
Cameron Kay is a New York based dancer and choreographer, as well as the director of movement collective “COSMOS”. She works mostly in contemporary fusion art, and loves playing with juxtaposing movement aesthetics, darker tones, and a gnarled sense of intrigue and curiosity. She has danced in projects for Devin Richey, Steven Blandino, Razvan Stoian, Vive Khamsingsavath, and in Gotham Dance Theatre (Marc Nuñez). She enjoys multi-media collaborative work with music and film, and is the resident choreographer for Brooklyn-based band Boojum. Choreography credits include Battery Dance Festival, American College Dance Association, Uptown Rising Bridge for Dance, Brooklyn Art Haus, The Chain Theatre, WAXworks at Triskelion, Sybarite, Anthology, and The Red Pavilion. A graduate of Florida State University, Cameron had the privilege of both performing in and creating original works for the School of Dance. She choreographed three evening-lengths there and also performed in works staged by Kara Wilkes and Suzanne Farrell.
Claire Wagner and Dancers
Claire Wagner (she/her) is a dynamic Korean-American choreographer and dancer who has lived in Georgia, Maine, and now New York City. Her expertise lies in street and contemporary styles, where she emphasizes storytelling and musical connection. She has spent four years in NYC developing her artistic voice and continuously learning what dance means to her. Her embodied experience of chronic illness has reinforced her commitment to making the world of dance more accessible, and she firmly believes that fostering a sense of empathy and kindness in her classes/rehearsals is the most foundational component to achieving this goal. She has received training from profound artists/educators at Marymount Manhattan College, such as Karen Gayle, Adrienne Hurd, Lone Larsen, Angie Pittman, and Elisabeth Motley. Her choreography has been performed at the highly esteemed Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater for the 2025 Artists in Motion showcase by Alison Cook Beatty, Dixon Place for 8 in Show, the Great Hall Theater, and various competitive stages. Claire has been featured as a dancer in several works, such as Gina Menichino's film project Glimpse of Us, Snow at the Theresa Lang Theatre, and James Kho's choreographic project for PJM's 2025 Holiday Showcase.
Elizabeth Buchheister and Company
Originally from Emmitsburg, Maryland, Elizabeth Buchheister began performing in community musical theater at a young age. She later studied dance at various schools including The City Ballet School, The Ailey School’s certificate program, and the Taylor School’s scholarship program. Elizabeth has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Ronald K Brown, Robert Battle, Amy Hall Garner, and JA Collective. Elizabeth Buchheister and Company have been seen at showcases in NYC, Philadelphia, and Baltimore and she has choreographed original works for Ballet Hartford, Mercersburg Academy, and the new opera "Gracchus." Elizabeth is currently a fellow with The Creative Independent Producers Alliance, an upcoming company manager intern with Jacob’s Pillow and the founder of “The Study Series.” Elizabeth is a freelance performer and producer, teaches at 92NY Harkness School of Dance, works as an assistant stage manager at Ailey Citigroup Theater, and is the Technical Director at Arts on Site.
Teresa Fellion/ Body Stories: Teresa Fellion Dance
BodyStories: Teresa Fellion Dance is a contemporary dance company of womxn and non-binary individuals that captures universal human encounters through dynamic, purposeful movement. BodyStories brings a wealth of arts activism experience to each work created with community partners, and has performed at Baryshnikov Arts Center, Public Theater, Danspace Project, University of Florida, ENTPE University (France), StudioRepublik Dubai, NYU, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ailey Citigroup Theater, Bryant Park, BDF Edinburgh at EICC, Gibney Dance, NY City Center, Dixon Place, UME, ICA Boston, 92nd St. Y, Naropa University, Franco-American Cultural Center, CPR, Triskelion Arts, KoDaFe NYC Art Festival, Jefferson Historical Society, HERE Sublet Series, SUNY Old Westbury, International Human Rights Festival, and in concerts with Phish, among others. BodyStories commissioned by NYC Department of Transportation, chashama at 4 Times Square, Island Moving Company, Marcia Brooks/Various Works, and Hudson River Museum via Jordan Matter Dancers Among Us. Choreography for Book of Saints, commissioned by Marigny Opera Contemporary Ballet won Best of New Orleans 2018 Gambit Award for Best Dance Presentation (Full Length). Teresa has led classes/workshops and been commissioned to set work at Pace University, Castleton State College, USM, Shenandoah University, Jacob’s Pillow, Wilson College, and several performing arts schools.
Jason Herbert
Jason Herbert is a choreographer, performer, and entrepreneur whose work bridges artistry, culture, and community. A graduate of the Harlem School of the Arts, the Martha Graham School, the Alvin Ailey School, and the Boston Conservatory, he has performed with Philadanco!, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Kymera Dance, Balance Dance Theater, and Ballet Noir. His stage credits include the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical FELA! and Diane Paulus and Sergio Trujillo’s Invisible Thread. As a choreographer, Herbert has created works for Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center, Emerging Artist Theatre’s Spark Festival, LIU Post Concert Dance Company, and the NYC Department of Education. His notable pieces include Lillian’s Blues, Anti-Domini, Kairos Divide, The Miles Davis Suite, and A Ramp to Paradise. Founder and CEO of JR Media Group, Herbert continues to merge dance, media, and cultural storytelling. Inspired by pioneers such as Abdel Salaam and Alvin Ailey, his work honors African diasporic traditions while celebrating innovation through the advancement of our artistic community through movement.
Mia "Miso" Sommer
Mia “Miso” Sommer is a New York–based dancer and choreographer creating emotionally charged, music-driven work rooted in contemporary movement, isolations, and gestural storytelling. Her choreography investigates the relationship between sound and movement—exploring how we physically experience music. Her work has been presented with support from the Young Choreographer’s Festival and Steps Beyond Foundation, and has been recognized with Standout Choreography from Journey Dance Connection and Best Dance Choreography from the New York International Film Awards. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University, where she studied psychology while developing her artistic career in New York City.