While teaching open modern classes over the years, I have been struck by the caliber of dancer that continually walks into the classroom.

There were the young adults training hard to improve their technique to move their dancing along but also there were professional dancers past and present. People that studied dance in college, and those that had been away from dance to have children or start a career just coming back to it as well as people discovering it later in life and finding the missing piece of themselves. The mature dancer moves with a willingness to expose themselves. Their life experience and history makes them comfortable in their skin and I have found driven to be authentic movers. Their time in the studio is a cherished space in their lives. With such a collection of amazing people with so much to offer it seemed a shame that there wasn’t any place for them to create and be seen.

So often we see ageism in the dance field. Just as the artist has blossomed into a true artist there is the internal and external struggle; society says they want to look at the young “spring“ dancer but lose interest as they mature. But we as dancers also do it to ourselves. We begin to see ourselves as too old long before our bodies say this. For many they feel after their mid 20’s it is time to move on for their dance career is over. But it is at this time when they are just beginning to own who they are and discover their true performing potential.

Loose Change Dance Collective was formed to showcase dancers of various experiences, bodylines and ages. The group challenges the bias of what a dancer looks like by emphasizing the dancer’s vitality and artistry. It exposes the concept, where as we age, we tend to become invisible and marginalized in society and even more so on the stage. The dancers range in age from 15 to 65 with some having danced with  company’s such as Martha Graham, Eisehhower Dance  and others having danced and performed in college have continued to take class but work as engineers, guidance counselors or math professors. LCDC, in its short existence has performed at National Museum of Dance Choreographers showcase 2014, Union College 2014, and selected to perform and performed at the NYC Dance Arts Festival 2015 and Rochester Fringe Festival 2015.

The intention of this company is to have a diverse collection of artists with which to explore. Offering an outlet for these artist to work while encouraging growth and depth in our artistry.

Loose Change Dance Collective, a multi generational dance company redefining what a dance artist looks like through strong works and performance.

                                                           Laurie Zabele Cawley                  Artistic director