Meet the Family: Sydnie Mosley

She's So New York continues to introduce to you all the SSNY family: Cutting edge, insightful, and are here to share with you their passions. Meet Dancer, Choreographer, and teacher, Sydnie Mosley.

My Top 7 Dance Shows of the Summer (because I couldn't name just 5)

Part of the joy of living in New York City as a dance artist is that there is a plethora of others creating and presenting dance too. For me seeing dance is an opportunity to see what my peers are working on, indulge in what I aspire to, and most of all, incite inspiration for my own work. Luckily, New York City summers lend themselves to lots of free outdoor concerts, not to mention the draw of sitting in cool air-conditioned theaters. To be quite honest, there is more dance happening around the city than I could possibly know about or see. So below I have assembled my top seven must-see dance picks of the summer. I hope you get to check them out and see what New York City has to offer by way of dance!

PilobolusJoyce Theater - Jul 12-Aug 7

Physical, acrobatic and virtuous are three words I would use to describe Pilobolus (seen right). They are known for their works of incredible partnering and weight sharing. I haven't seen them in concert since the American Dance Festival 10 years ago, but this program no doubt will showcase their physical strength and skill interacting with one another.

Under ExposedDixon Place - Wed, Jul 21 7:30 pm

Because I am an emerging artist, I feel some obligation to support other emerging and developing artists. This particular series provides a space for such artists to show work in development. This program curated by Jack Ferver features the work Benn Rasmussen, Ryan Manchester, Max Steele, Darrin Wright and Tyler Ashley James.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at SummerStage (Central Park, Main Stage)
Fri, July 23 and Sat, Jul 24, 8 pm

If you've never had an opportunity to see the virtuosity of the Ailey company, here's your opportunity to see them for FREE! For two nights the company will perform a well-mixed program: Blues Suite choreographed by Ailey himself; Ronald K. Brown's Dancing Spirit, a contemporary work created in honor of soon-to-step down Artistic Director Judith Jamison; and of course, Revelations, the company's signature work.

We Give Ourselves Away at EVERY Moment an EVENT for Merce - River to River Festival
Esplanade Plaza - Mon, Jul 26, 6 pm

In honor of the one year anniversary of Merce Cunningham's passing, this performance showcases work inspired by his pioneering choreographic methods. Choreographers include Lucinda Childs, Bill T. Jones, Susan Marshall, Jon Kinzell and Faye Driscoll.

Creative Outlet Dance Theater and Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion at SummerStage
Jackie Robinson Park - Fri, Jul 30, 7 pm

SummerStage presents more FREE dance uptown with two companies directed by black male choreographers. I look forward to seeing the depth and range of what some call "black dance," by juxtaposing up and coming choreographers, Jamel Gaines of Creative Outlet and Kyle Abraham (seen left) of Abraham.In.Motion.

Camille A. Brown and Andrea MillerJoyce Theater -
Aug 9, 11, 13, 14

In the past few years, each of these choreographers has made a name for herself and I am excited that they are sharing a bill at the Joyce to showcase their individual choreographic voices.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Wideman/Davis Dance at SummerStage
East River Park - Sat, Aug 14, 7 pm

This FREE program of contemporary ballet features the innovative choreography of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. They will be premiering a new commission by City Parks Foundation. I'm excited to see that they are sharing a bill with Wideman/Davis Dance. The husband and wife team Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman, guest taught at the University of Iowa while I was there, and I am excited to see what new work they have created with their company.Please click the links provided for more information on each of these performance including ticket prices, location, choreographer and program info.

Sydnie Mosley is a New York City-based dancer, choreographer and blogger. Her personal blog, Love Stutter, assembles her perspective on life as an emerging artist in NYC as she experiences it. Currently, Sydnie is forming her contemporary dance company which has performed most recently at The Chen Dance Center, the FIGMENT Festival on Governor's Island, and the Bushwick rooftop ChoreOBJECTography series. She is a performing apprentice with INSPIRIT, a dance company; and is dance faculty for Brooklyn Ballet and the YMCA.She earned her MFA in Dance with an emphasis on Choreography from the University of Iowa and is also an alumna of Barnard College at Columbia University, where she earned her BA in Dance and Africana Studies. Sydnie was recently featured on TheRoot.com as an Up and Coming: Young Minority Artist and Entrepreneur. Keep up with her on a daily basis by following @sydmosley and stay up to date with her dance happenings on Facebook.

Will you be joining Sydnie at these fantabulous summer ready shows? Be sure to follow Sydnie on twitter as well as on her blog "Love Stutter," !