Ballet of the Dolls:         (Minneapolis, Minnesota) .....contemporary / ballet
      (1990: 2nd MDF)   Artistic Director: Myron Johnson  Myron Johnson  founded Ballet of the Dolls in 1986 with a group of fellow artist friends. Since that time, he has created over 100 full evening ballets for the company. His work as a director, choreographer and dancer has been seen at several theatres including the Children's Theatre Company, Arizona Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Illusion Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre and Sundance. This company is built on the creative, dynamic and innovative choreography of Myron. Myron explores many new avenues of dance as well as giving his own modern rendition of many of the classics like Giselle and Nutcracker.    (updated July, 2003)

Ballet Minnesota:        (St Paul, Minnesota) .......ballet / contemporary
     (4th -15th MDF)   Artistic Director: Andrew Rist   Founded by Andrew & Cheryl Rist in 1992, Ballet Minnesota is the sponsoring organization of the Minnesota Dance Festival. The company has an annual season consisting of a fall concert, the annual Nutcracker, Capital New Year, Youth Concert Series, Minnesota Dance Festival and DanceCamp. Each year the festival presents a classic ballet (Swan Lake, Paquita, Les Sylphides, La Bayadere) on the festival. Each work has been restaged by Cheryl Rist.

Beyond Ballroom:          (Minnesota)........ballroom
     (2005: 17th MDF)    (updated May, 2005)

Body Logic* :         (Minneapolis, Minnesota)    ........modern/improvisation
     (1997: 9th MDF)      Artistic Director: Cathy Young     Body Logic was the first company created by Cathy Young and Chris Aiken. The work presented on the festival was a duet titiled "O cessate di piagarmi". This company disbanded and reappeared as Young Dance Company directed by Cathy.
     * This company is no longer in existence.

Catalyst Dances by emily johnson:         (Minneapolis, Minnesota) .......modern
      (2003: 15th MDF)      Artistic Director: Emily Johnson     (updated March, 2003)
Catalyst, dances by emily Johnson has performed regularly since 1998 with support from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Jerome Foundation. The six member company works to examine physical and emotional extremes, taking a fierce and emphatic look at the most pervasive and often unnerving realities of everyday life.

Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble:         (Minneapolis, Minnesota)........ethnic/national
      (2001: 13th MDF)      Artistic Director: Ken Matlashewski     (updated May, 2001)
The Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is a cultural divisionof the Ukrainian American Youth Association (CYMA) in Minneapolis, MN. The association was formed over 50 years ago in Northeast Minneapolis with a goal to teach and preserve the art of Ukrainian folk dance by providing children and young adults with instruction to various regions and genres of Ukraine . The aim is to provide traditional dance while intertwining American components of dance to provide students an appreciation for ethnic and comptemporary dance. Currently, the ensemble comprises of 71 dancers from the ages 4 thru to 38. We welcome all interested students to enroll and be part of our cultural diversity.

Chinese Asian American Dance Theater     (CAAM):           (St Paul, Minnesota) 
     (2000: 12th MDF)       Artistic Director: Shen Pei   (updated July 2003)
Since 1992, CAAM Chinese Dance Theater has served families and delighted audiences with some of the best locally-produced Chinese dance in the country.  We are a community-based organization under the artistic direction of a world-renowned choreographer and teacher.  Shen Pei was the director when CAAM performed on the 12th MDF in 2000. A division of Chinese American Association of Minnesota (CAAM), the oldest, largest Chinese American community organization in Minnesota, we perform to 17,000 live audience members annually.  In running a dance school, presenting annual concerts, and performing outreach programs, we have become the largest Chinese dance organization in the Midwest.
CAAM Chinese Dance Theater is dedicated to preserving and celebrating our Chinese cultural heritage through the universal language of dance.

Chateuse 45: ( 6th MDF)   Byron Richards & Erin Thompson founded Chateuse 45

Christopher Watson Dance Company:           (Minneapolis, Minnesota) ........modern
     (`995: 7th MDF)       Artistic Director: Christopher Watson 
Since its founding in California 1991, the Christopher Watson Dance Company (CWDC) has performed throughout California and Minnesota. CWDC received its federal non-profit 501(c)(3) organization status in 1992. In the fall of 1994, Mr. Watson relocated from northern California to Minneapolis, Minnesota. CWDC also produces concerts which include guest artists and musicians and has sponsored related dance activities within the community. In February 1997, the Christopher Watson Dance Center opened in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Christopher Watson's choreography has been variously described as buoyant, lyrical, and dramatic. His work has been supported by grants from the Michigan Council for the Arts, the New Works Program of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, the Jerome Foundation through the SpaceSpace Co-Project, the Linden Hills UCC Fund, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the Lyndale Neighborhood Association, Minneapolis Arts Commission, and the Minnesota Dance Alliance.
      (updated July, 2003)

Crosscurrent Dance Company: ( MDF)   Christian Dance Company. disbanded

David Gordon Dance Company:  (1988: 1st MDF)      David Gordon formed this company in 1989 and performed with it until moving to California in the early 1990s.

Deuxmensions:  (1999: 11th MDF)    

El Ballet Mexicano:   (Minneapolis, Minnesota)     
     (1996: 8th MDF) Artistic Director: Jesse Bethke   This company celebrates the spirit and vitality of Mexico by bringing the dynamic sounds and movements of Mexican dance to Minnesota. Jesse has danced with Ballet Folkloric in Mexico and stays true to the Mexican asthetic.

Ethnic Dance Theatre:  (1990: 2nd MDF)    Donald LaCorse is director of Ethnic Dance Theater. The Ethnic Dance Theatre (EDT) is a performing arts company presenting ethnic instrumental music, songs and dance. Over 25 years of world travel and research have produced high quality, culturally authentic dance making this company an invaluable educational resource that has performed in over 200 schools.
      (updated July, 2003)

James Sewell Ballet:      (Minneapolis, Minnesota)    ........ballet
     (1992: 4th MDF) & (2003: 15th MDF: Gala: "Whaling Waters")   Artistic Director: James Sewell
James Sewell Ballet. Artistic Director: James Sewell. Based in New York City for its first three years, the company relocated to the Twin Cities in August 1993. It primarily presents Sewell's contemporary ballet choreography.      (updated March, 2003)

Jawaahir:     (Minneapolis, Minnesota) ........mid-eastern
     (1999: 11th MDF)    Artistic Director: Casandra Shore    Cansandra has developed a very good company which preserves and creates new dances after the manor of the middle eastern countries.

JazzDance: Danny Buraczecki is founder/artistic director of JazzDance

Katha Dance Theater:          (Minnesota).....India
     (2005: 17th MDF)    (updated May, 2005) Artistic Director: Rita Mustaphi

Kanopy Dance Company:     (Madison, Wisconsin)  .........Modern
     (1996: 8th MDF & 12th MDF)    Artistic Director: Lisa Thurell , Kanopy Dance Company artists have received praise for their presentations of compelling choreography performed with dramatic physicality, elegance and humor. Comprised of professional dancers and choreographers, Kanopy has developed an extensive repertoire, adding new creations with each concert season. Under the leadership of Artistic Director, Lisa Andrea Thurrell, (formerly of the Martha Graham Company), Kanopy encourages local, national and international creative artists (Choreographers, Composers, and other theatre artists) by bringing their work before wide audiences. The company has resided for nearly 25 years in downtown Madison.     (updated July, 2003)

Keane Sense of Rhythm:          (Minnesota)......Tap
     (2005: 17th MDF)    (updated May, 2005)

Los Allegros Ballederios:

Mankato Ballet:     (Mankato, Minnesota).....ballet
     (1996: 8th MDF)   Artistic Director: Ann Marie Carlson-Drake

Matt Jenson's New and Slightly Used Dances:        (Minneapolis, Minnesota) ........Modern
     (2003: 15th MDF)  Artistic Director: Matt Jenson   (updated March, 2003)
Matt Jenson (artistic director of New and Slightly Used Dance) has presented work many places locally including MN Dance Alliance Studio 6A, the Red Eye Theater, the Walker Art Center and the Southern Theater and in New York at Dance Theatre Workshop's "Fresh Tracks Series", HERE and in Dance Space's "In the Company of Men" Series. Recent projects have included two collaborations: "The Road to Compostela" with early music ensemble The Rose Ensemble and "Travel Home" with visual artist Diane Katsiaficas and students from the Dance Program and Visual Arts Department at the University of Minnesota. Matt has served as choreographer for four main-stage productions at the Children's Theater. His work has been supported by the McKnight Foundation, the MN State Arts Board and the Jerome Foundation. Matt is currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota Dance Program and the Children's Theater Company. Since 1999, Matt has performed with Sturat Pimsler Dance & Theater.

Minnesota Ballet:      (Duluth, Minnesota)  
     (MDF)   Artistic Director: Allen Fields    Originally called the Duluth Ballet, this company changed its name to Minnesota Ballet when Allen Fields became artistic director. Since taking over the company, Allen has expanded the school and raised the performance level. Minnesota Ballet is a professional company employing dancers annually. The associate artistic director, Robert Gardner, is also resident choreographer. (update: 4/14/01)

Minnesota Dance Theater:      (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
     (1990: 2ndMDF) Artistic Director: Loyce Houlton
     (1997: 9thMDF) Artistic Director: Lise Houlton   This company appeared on the Festival under the direction of Loyce Houlton and a second time under the direction of Lise Houlton. The 2nd MDF was a tribute to Loyce Houlton. The company is a professional company and has a regular season.

Mooncoin Celli Dancers:

Morris Dancers:  (1991: 3rd MDF)    

Nancy Hauser Dance Company:       (Minneapolis, Minnesota)  
     (1990: 2nd MDF) Artistic Director: Nancy Hauser
     (1998: 10th MDF) Artistic Director: Heidi Jasmin  Heidi Hauser Jasmin is the artistic director of Nancy Hauser Dance Company. Since taking over the company founded by her mother, she has toured the company to Japan and continues to produce modern dance. The company also has a school which trains students in modern dance.

Precipice Dance Theater:        (Minneapolis, Minnesota) 
     (2001: 13th MDF)  Artistic Director: Risa Cohen   (updated May, 2001)
Risa in a modern choreographer with a goodRisa Cohen founded Precipice Dance Theater in 1997 in Minneapolis, MN. The works presented by the company focus on a movement-based vocabulary that combines powerful dramatic intentions with modern dance technique. Risa presented an excerpt from her evening long work "Self-Storage". Ballet Minnesota also presented the commissioned work which Risa set on the company "Finlandia"

Ragamala Music and Dance Theater:        (Minneapolis, Minnesota) 
     (2003: 15th MDF)  Artistic Director: Ranee Ramaswamy   (updated March, 2003)
(Artistic Director/Choreographer), a native of India, has been teaching and performing Bharatanatyam in the Twin Cities since 1978. She has had the good fortune to train under Alarmel Valli, a leading exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam, which requires grace and subtlety of expression. Ranee has received many grants and fellowships in the recognition of her dancing, choreography, and tireless work with Bharatanatyam in the Minnesota area, including 12 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Choreographers, two McKnight Artist Fellowships for Interdisciplinary Artists, a two-year National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer Fellowship in 1994, a Bush Fellowship for Choreography in 1996, a 1998 LIN (Leadership Initiative Neighborhood) Grant from the St Paul Companies, and a 2000 Minnesota State Arts Board Choreography Fellowship. Throughout her career, Ranee has collaborated with celebrated artists of diverse backgrounds and disciplines, such as poet Robert Bly, Jazz musician Howard Levy, Milwaukee-based African dance troupeKo-Thi Dance Company, and Deaf actress Nicole Zapko.

Red River Dance Company:       (Fargo, North Dakota)   
     (1992: 4th MDF)  Artistic Director: Kathy Gasper    Kathy and Eddie Gasper founded this company which is located in Fargo, ND. They specialized in jazz dance and tap and toured around the US and to Russia. Kathy and Eddie have since opened their own school, Carousel Dance, in Fargo.

Ressl Dance! :        (Duluth, Minnesota)  
     (2001: 13th MDF)  Artistic Director: Doris Ressl   (updated May, 2001)
     Ressl Dance! was formed in 1989 as a vehicle for the creation and performance of dance in Northern Minnesota. Directed by Doris Ressl, the company is composed of dancers hired from throughout Minnesota including: Matthew Harrison, Jessica Kuderka, Lisa McKhann, Renee Moe, Christina Mohn, and Ramona Treuer. These dancers, living throughout Minnesota (Duluth, Twin Cities, Grand Marais), come together for rehearsals and performances throughout the state. Ressl Dance! performs in Duluth, Minneapolis, St.Paul, Grand Rapids, Grand Marais, and Ely. A recent tour to Radford, Virginia expanded the company's geographic visibility.
     For the past twelve years, Ressl Dance! has collaborated with choreographers, directors, dancers, and actors from Duluth, the Twin Cities, and Chicago, presenting modern dance, ballet, dance theatre, and site-specific works. "Dances on the Lakewalk" presented by Ressl Dance! is the most popular and only site-specific summer dance event in Duluth. In its 5th season, dances are performed outdoors along the lakewalk of Lake Superior and in the Leif Erikson Park Rose Garden. The dances are performed to original percussion scores and performed live. This years event will be held July 13 and 14 at 7pm in the Rose Garden.
     Throughout Minnesota Ressl Dance! has been presented at these noteworthy events: Christopher Watson Dance Company (Mpls), Red Eye Theatre (Mpls), Minnesota Dance Festival at the O'Shaunessy Theatre (St. Paul), Vermilion College (Ely), and Grand Marais Art Colony (Grand Marais). Over the past 12 years the Ensemble presented 15 concerts in Duluth, receiving support from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, and the Duluth Public Arts Commission. Ms. Ressl has choreographed over 40 works some of which have been presented by the Minnesota Dance Alliance, The Walker Art Center, Chequamegon Fine Arts Festival, College of St. Scholastica, and The Minnesota Ballet.

St Paul City Ballet:          (St Paul, Minnesota)
     (2005: 17th MDF)    (updated May, 2005)

Scoil da Ntra:  (2000: 12th MDF)    Directed by Brenda Buckley, the company celebrates the vibrant dances of Ireland.

Scottish Highland Dancers: Florence Hart is director of the Highland Dancers

Stroia Ballet:       (Little Falls, Minnesota) 
     (1997: 9th MDF)    Artistic Director: Carlos Stroia   Stroia, artistic director and founder, was trainned in his native Romania. He competed and placed 4th in the internationally famous Varna Ballet Competition. After leaving Romania he danced with companies such as Ballet National De Cuba (Cuba), Hamburg Ballet (Germany) and Teatro La Scala (Italy). After opening the Stroia Ballet Studio in the early 1980's in Little Falls, Minnesota, Carlos established The Stroia Ballet Company which has brought the art of ballet to much of central Minnesota.  The company's repertoire includes full length classical and contemporary ballets such as Sleeping Beauty Act III, Peter & the Wolf, Coppelia Suite, Romeo & Juliet, Mignon, Grande Pas de Quatre, Waltz by the Beautiful Danube, Shadows of a Thought, Dvertismento, Silhouettes, Swan Lake, Act II Texas Dream, Dancing Around the World, Giselle, Les Sylphides and the famous Nutcracker.
     (updated July, 2003)

Tibetan Dance Company:          (St Paul, Minnesota)
     (2001: 13th MDF)    (updated May, 2001)
This company has been in preparation for the visit by the Dali Lama in May 2001. Their dance reflects the culture of the Tibetan people.

10,000 Dances:  (1997: 9th MDF)    Founded by Sam Costa. This company displayed the high energy athleticism which Sam background in gymnastics brought to the company. Upon Sam's death, the company was discontinued.

URepCo: This one of the first names of the repertory company associated with dance department at the University of Minnesota. Byron Richards was the head of the company when they perfomred o the festival.

Vox Medusa:  (2001: 13th MDF)     ( Apple Valley, Minnesota)
     (2001: 13th MDF)  Artistic Director: Kristen Freya  (updated May, 2001)
In 1995, Kristen Freya created Vox Medusa Dance Company. In each piece Freya reaches out to the art community through her interdisciplanry dance works. Vox Medusa Dance Company brings audiences on a vibrant journey through the labyrinth of universal emotions using lushly poetic and intricate movement architecture and compelling relationships, with passionate music, breathtaking video environments, powerful spoken word and vocal performers and distinct set design. Vox Medusa,s interdisciplinary collaborations meld seamlessly to recreate powerful historical and mythical stories of women,s strength. Freya's mission is to create a single artistic vision by collaboration among disparate groups of artists, infusing modern dance with other art forms, in the presentation of inspiring ancient mythological and historical stories with modern perspective.

Zenon Dance Company:  ( Minneapolis, Minnesota)
     (2003: 15th MDF)  Artistic Director: Linda Andrews  (updated March, 2003)
  Since its first performance in 1983, Zenon Dance Company has grown to be one of the nation's premiere repertory dance companies. It is one of only a few United States companies to commission and perform both modern and jazz works often created by emerging Twin Cities choreographers as well as internationally renowned masters. Zenon's unique, eclectic repertory has allowed it to reach a broad range of audiences - from dedicated Twin Cities' dance enthusiasts to elder care residents in Greater Minnesota. Often times these diverse audiences are reached through the company's Educational Outreach Program which allows Zenon's Artistic Director, Linda Z. Andrews, and the company members to work creatively with students of all ages and abilities. In the past five years the company has participated in over fifty residencies working with school and communities including the deaf and hard of hearing community and at-risk youth programs

Zorongo Flamenco:       (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
     (1993: 5th MDF)  & (2003: 15th MDF) 
Artistic Director: Susanna di Palma  (updated March, 2003)     The vision for Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre come from Artistic Director, Susana di Palma. She is unparalleled as a performer and choreographer, both in the United States and abroad. Ms di Palma receives widespread acclaim for her daring and sumptuous choreography, imbuing jewels of literature (from where she gets much of her inspiration) with the freshness, candor and immediacy that only flamenco can bring.
      Susana di Palma studied Spanish dance from childhood, primarily in Madrid, with maestros Manolete, Tomas de Madrid, Carmen Mora and Merche Esmerelda, and in Sevilla with Enrique "El Cojo" and Manolo Marin. After living and working in Spain with such companies as La Singla and Rafael de Cordova among others, in "tablaos" in Madrid and numerous festivals throughout Spain and Europe, she returned to the United States.
      Her original theater flamenco choreographies have been awarded grants from the McKnight Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, National Endowment for the Arts, Bush Foundation, and Jerome Foundation, among others. She is the 1999-2001 recipient of the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Choreographers through the Minnesota Dance Alliance. She recently performed Garcia Lorca's 'Blood Wedding' Ms di Palma resides in Madrid and Minneapolis.
      These full-length works, along with the many smaller works, designate di Palma as an outstanding and unique visionary force in Spanish dance in the United States.