Yolette Yellow-Duke (they/she) has been exploring their love for the arts their entire life. Originally from Brooklyn, they received their MA in Dance Performance with honors from the London Contemporary Dance School, where they wrote a dissertation examining cultural appropriation in dance and disparities between dancers of color and white dancers. While at LCDS, they trained at RESET 2020 with Wayne McGregor company members and at GAGA LAB in Tel Aviv. Yellow-Duke has also trained at the Bates Dance Festival, Gallim Dance Intensive, Movement Research’s MELT Intensive, and the American Dance Festival, where she was a stagecraft apprentice for companies including Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Ballet Folklorico, Shen Wei Dance Arts, and Pilobolus. As a performer, they’ve had the pleasure to work with Renegade Performance Group, Johnny Cruise Mercer, Kayla Farrish, j. bouey, KINESIS PROJECT Dance Theatre, Thomasin Gulgec, Andre Tyson, Sara Hook, Camilo Godoy, Yun Cheng, and James Avery. Herchoreography premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Here Arts Summer Sublet Series, and Movement Research at Judson Church. For Yellow-Duke, dance is rooted in the idea that movement is an act of healing, of resistance against oppressive systems, as well as a form of self-care. Through dance, they believe that we can all find moments of liberation.
Yolette Yellow-Duke’s work is an exploration of mediums. Yellow-Duke is a 2023-24 LiftOff Resident Artist.
“It was a pleasure and an honor to be part of Performance Mix Festivals #31 (Infinite Corridor) and #36 (Meeting the Moai: Head Over Heels.) In both instances, the artists were made to feel welcomed and truly celebrated for their work, as reflected by attention to publicity, technical needs, and convivial gatherings.This festival truly practices diversity, equity, and inclusion, as manifested in their roster of performing artists each year. Big thanks to New Dance Alliance, Karen Bernard, and the entire Performance Mix Festival team who make it such a fulfilling and joyful experience for artists and audiences alike.”
– Hortense Gerardo
New Dance Alliance
182 Duane Street
New York, NY 10013
All venues are wheelchair accessible.
