The Fort Wayne Dance Collective supports three performing groups: FWDC’s Company, Fort Wayne Taiko, and Pineapple Dance Project. Scroll down to learn more about each performing group and how you can book them for your upcoming event!
Fort Wayne Dance Collective’s Company teamed up with Spark Placemaking and Metavari to breathe new life into Fort Wayne, Indiana’s General Electric campus. Check out the screendance, SPARK. This piece is not a eulogy to what was, but an expression of what will be!
Music: “Assemblé en Miroir III” by Metavari
Choreography: FWDC Company
Videography: Kelly Lynch/Lynchpin Creative
Fort Wayne Dance Collective’s Company Practices Social DisDANCING To “Bird Set Free” By Sia.
FWDC’s Pineapple Dance Project Comes “Together” To Dance To A Song By Layup.
Editing and Direction by Sadie Fenstermacher with Assistance from Punch Films.
FWDC Company
FWDC’s professional Company (ages 18+) is a group of trained dancers who participate in annual performances such as the Choreographer’s Lab, Collective Expressions, and the Halloween Show. They also perform at festivals, schools, fundraisers, hospitals, and art openings.
Company performances consist of several vignettes that showcase the company’s artistry and athleticism. Book dancers today for your upcoming event by contacting Ashley Benninghoff (Program Director) at [email protected]. For more information about the Company, please contact Mandie Kolkman (Artistic Director) at [email protected].
Fort Wayne Taiko
Taiko is a Japanese musical tradition that means “big drum.” Established in 1997, Fort Wayne Taiko – a program of the Fort Wayne Dance Collective – was the first Taiko drumming group in Indiana and is currently the only group in Northeast Indiana. They have performed at schools, community events, festivals such as the Cherry Blossom Festival, and annual FWDC performances such as Collective Expressions and the Halloween Show.
Fort Wayne Taiko can be booked for a performance, class, or workshop. Contact Ashley Benninghoff (Program Director) at [email protected] for more information!
Pineapple Dance Project
The Pineapple Dance Project is a non-auditioned youth contemporary group (ages 12-18) that performs in annual FWDC shows such as the Choreographer’s Lab, Collective Expressions, the Halloween Show, and the June Family Concert for on-site students. They also perform at fundraisers, festivals, and art openings. Directed by Ashley Benninghoff, these pre-professional dancers engage in team building, and are empowered to push the boundaries of dance while taking artistic risks. Members of PDP learn choreography by attending weekly on-site classes. Pineapple 1 is an open class, and Pineapple 2 is by invitation only. For more information about the Pineapple Dance Project, please contact Ashley at [email protected].
Booking Information Contact: Program Director, Ashley Benninghoff