Sedona Choreography Retreat: A New Frontier for Dance Innovation

Who we are!

Welcome to the Sedona Choreography Retreat—where breathtaking landscapes, bold ideas, and boundless creativity converge to shape the future of dance.

Founded by Sedona Ballet in collaboration with Ballet Arizona, the Sedona Choreography Retreat is more than a program—it’s a movement.

Our mission is to nurture the creation of original works by giving choreographers, dancers, and multidisciplinary artists the time, space, and support to explore new ideas without the pressure of performance.

In Sedona, we aren’t just showcasing dance—we’re shaping its future.

In Sedona, we aren’t just showcasing dance—we’re shaping its future. ​

What makes us unique

As Arizona’s only initiative of its kind—and one of only a few in the nation—the retreat offers a rare opportunity to develop bold new work outside the confines of traditional repertoire. Our focus? Innovation through collaboration.

Each year, we bring together choreographers, dancers, musicians, dramaturgs, and visual artists in a setting designed for reflection, experimentation, and artistic growth. Rather than reproducing past works, we ask: What’s next? What new stories can we tell through the body?

And there’s no place like Sedona to ask those questions. With its red rock vistas and deep cultural roots, the region itself becomes a silent partner in the creative process—offering inspiration at every turn.

Our intimate, community-focused model also allows audiences to witness the birth of new art through open rehearsals, behind-the-scenes conversations, and interactive classes. It’s a rare and intimate glimpse into the choreographic journey.

A Powerful Collaborator: Ballet Arizona

Central to our success is our partnership with Ballet Arizona, the state’s leading professional ballet company. Their extraordinary dancers and artistic leadership help bring new works to life at a level of excellence that resonates far beyond Arizona.

This collaboration ensures that each piece developed here has the potential for a continued life on stages across the state—and beyond.

2025 Highlights

In June 2025, the Sedona Choreography Retreat premiered a groundbreaking lineup of new and classic works by Nayon Iovino, Christel Veraart and LaTasha Barnes. The retreat also featured selections by legendary choreographers including George Balanchine, Robert Bondara, and Natasha Adorlee, offering a rich dialogue between tradition and innovation.

 

Our Vision

We dream of the Sedona Choreography Retreat becoming a signature cultural event—a vibrant gathering that puts Sedona on the map alongside legendary institutions like Jacob’s Pillow and the Vail Dance Festival.

By cultivating new voices and supporting established ones, we aim to transform Sedona into a national destination for dance creation and innovation, strengthening Arizona’s cultural ecosystem while inspiring audiences far and wide.

Join us on this extraordinary journey, where art is born from landscape, collaboration sparks transformation, and the future of dance is imagined—right here in Sedona.