TARYN KASCHOCK RUSSELL

TARYN KASHOCK RUSSELL l was named the Director of the 92Y Harkness Dance Center in September of 2019. As the Dance Center Director, Kaschock Russell oversees all aspects of dance at 92Y, working to provide overarching vision, partnership, and support for the School of Dance and the Dance Education Laboratory while also leading all curatorial performance opportunities, workshops, and artist residencies. Under her curation and directorship, in the fall of 2021 the 92nd Street Y launched the Harkness Mainstage Series, ​bringing a year-long dance series to the Kaufmann Concert Hall stage--where Alvin Ailey premiered Revelations in 1960--for the first time in over 50 years. Before revitalizing 92Y's in-person dance platforms, in the spring of 2021 Kaschock Russell created a mid-pandemic online opportunity, connecting emerging choreographers with established industry leaders and company directors: Future Dance Festival introduced the work of 21 choreographers to directors from Ballet Hispanico, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, RUBBERBAND, AIM by Kyle Abraham and the Martha Graham Dance Company. Beyond the initial virtual festival, an additional opportunity to partner with the Martha Graham Dance Company in a co-presentation for 9 of the choreographers arose as part of Graham's Joyce 2021 Fall Engagement.

 Prior to holding this position, Kaschock Russell served on the Artistic leadership team of the Juilliard Dance Division for three years: as Associate Director in the 2016-17 and 2018-19 academic years, and as the Acting Artistic Director in 2017-18. Between 2013 and 2019, Kaschock Russell served both as faculty at the Juilliard School and as a lecturer at the Conservatory of Dance, SUNY Purchase. Over the past two decades, this passionate educator has been a company guest instructor for Abraham in Motion, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico, Ballet BC, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, while also teaching frequently for both the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Gibney Company during their New York seasons. Kaschock Russell serves as an Artistic Advisory Council of MOVE|NYC|, an organization whose mission she passionately supports, and as a member of the Advisory Board for Back to Healing, which provides positive empowerment and community for individuals living with scoliosis.