Cora Dance Alleghany

Cora Dance creates transformative dance experiences, addressing the inequities that limit people from bonding deeply with the artform, one another, and their individual artistic potential to build common ground and authentically connect communities.

Cora Dance was founded in 1998 as the New York City-based contemporary dance company of critically acclaimed choreographer, Shannon Hummel. In 2009, Cora opened up a pay-what-you-can school for dance located in Red Hook, Brooklyn - merging the work of the Professional Company and Hummel's commitment to accessible, equitable, and excellent dance training programs. In 2021, Cora's Brooklyn hub was renamed Cora Dance Brooklyn and now is a well-integrated arts center fostering transformative dance experiences for New York City-based youth, artists, and community members.

Over 20 years, while maintaining and expanding Cora in New York City, Shannon Hummel sustained her connections to the mountain regions of Virginia where she spent her childhood and youth. In 2021, Cora established a rural center to parallel the programs and equitable practices of Cora Dance Brooklyn. Located in Clifton Forge, VA, Cora Dance Alleghany offers pay-what-you-can and free dance education programs in collaboration with local partner organizations; provides free and sliding scale workshops and professional performances in the region; and, through The Crossroads Project, expands intersectional opportunities for urban and rural youth. Now in its 26th season, Cora’s transformative initiatives in Brooklyn and Appalachia continue to make exceptional dance accessible while promoting connections within and between diverse individuals and disparate communities.

Cora Dance Alleghany has an office at The Historic Masonic Theatre that opened to the public in January 2023. Contact us at CDA_info@coradance.org or call our office at (540) 862-5655 x306.