09/11/2026
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The QC Dept. Of Theatre, Dance & Fashion is proud to host two CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI) residencies in 2026–2027, with innovative tap dancer and electronic musician Liberty Styles Liberty Styles - and with accomplished contemporary choreographer Claude “CJ” Johnson Claude Johnson in collaboration with composer Maya Miro Johnson.
CUNY Dance Initiative started at Queens College in 2014 in response to an Andrew Mellon Foundation report that determined there is a critical lack of affordable dance rehearsal space in NYCity.
“The cost of renting dance studio space can be prohibitively expensive, so it is a blessing to have a residency that provides access to spacious, fully equipped dance studios. CDI introduces our students to artists working professionally in the field and beautifully augments the dance program’s offerings.” - Edisa Weeks, QC Prof. & Dance Program Dir.
“Importantly, one of the studios at Queens has a wood floor that was designed specifically for percussive dance like tap. Studios with wood floors are increasingly rare in New York, and we prioritize hosting at least one tap, flamenco, or street/ club dance resident artist each year.” - Alyssa Alpine, CDI Dir.
“The CUNY Dance Initiative has surpassed the goals that we sought to achieve at its launch. It has evolved to enrich the student experience at CUNY schools throughout New York City and benefit local communities in ways that we couldn’t have foreseen, but of which we are deeply proud.” – Jeffrey Rosenstock, QC assistant vice president for governmental relations and external affairs
