Venza Dance
Founded in 2018 by Quaba V. Ernest, Venza Dance is an innovative interdisciplinary arts collective dedicated to pushing the boundaries of live and digital art. Our mission is to create provocative works that inspire viewers to engage deeply with complex questions and perspectives. Emphasizing collaboration, we integrate dance, theater, music, film, and installation to explore the limitless potential of movement in all its forms. Through this dynamic fusion of mediums, Venza Dance crafts abstract interpretations that shed light on the often overlooked or internalized emotions of daily life. The work invites audiences to reflect on their roles within society and the ever-evolving cultural landscape. By delving into the nuances of human experience, we aim to transform ordinary moments into profound artistic expressions. A journey of discovery, where every creation is an invitation to see the world anew.
Quaba V. Ernest
Quaba V. Ernest
Quaba is a St.Lucian-American, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is an alumni of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Fiorello H. LaGuardia Arts High School, and SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance where he was selected as a recipient of an Adopt-A-Dancer Scholarship & The Thayer Fellowship in the Arts for Choreography/Dance.
He began his career at Ballet BC in 2019, later working with Doug Varone and Dancers, Dual Rivet, the Metropolitan Opera & is currently working with Sleep No More NYC. He has danced in works by Kimberly Bartosik, George Balanchine, Ronald K. Brown, Sidra Bell, Norbert De La Cruz lll, Maxine Doyle, Sharon Eyal, Kayla Farish, Marjani Forte, Johan Inger, Loni Landon, Sidi Larbi, Ana Maria Lucaciu, Ohad Naharin, Staycee Pearl, Crystal Pite, Jerome Robbins, Ted Shawn, Cayetano Soto, Didy Veldman and Medhi Walerski.
In 2021, he was selected as an Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows at Jacob’s Pillow. Quaba has presented work at the Arts On Site, Chelsea Factory, Cinedanza Film Festival, Eastman Summer Intensive, Jamaica Dance Festival, Making Moves Dance Festival, New Century Dance Project, Purchase College, the 27th Quinzena de Dança de Almada – International Dance Festival, Rufus King Park, and Triskelion Arts. He has choreographed solos for Alonzo King Lines Summer Intensive, SUNY Purchase, and Fiorello H. Laguardia High School. He has been a movement director & choreographer for several galleries, films & music videos including projects for GoalKeepers, Luca Fogale, and Ralph Pucci.
As a teacher Quaba has taught contemporary/floorwork for classes for Juilliard, Juilliard Summer Intensive, NYU Summer Intensive, Gibney, Peridance, Marymount College, MOVE NYC, Barnard/Columbia College, Steps On Broadway and is an adjunct professor at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance.
He began his career at Ballet BC in 2019, later working with Doug Varone and Dancers, Dual Rivet, the Metropolitan Opera & is currently working with Sleep No More NYC. He has danced in works by Kimberly Bartosik, George Balanchine, Ronald K. Brown, Sidra Bell, Norbert De La Cruz lll, Maxine Doyle, Sharon Eyal, Kayla Farish, Marjani Forte, Johan Inger, Loni Landon, Sidi Larbi, Ana Maria Lucaciu, Ohad Naharin, Staycee Pearl, Crystal Pite, Jerome Robbins, Ted Shawn, Cayetano Soto, Didy Veldman and Medhi Walerski.
In 2021, he was selected as an Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows at Jacob’s Pillow. Quaba has presented work at the Arts On Site, Chelsea Factory, Cinedanza Film Festival, Eastman Summer Intensive, Jamaica Dance Festival, Making Moves Dance Festival, New Century Dance Project, Purchase College, the 27th Quinzena de Dança de Almada – International Dance Festival, Rufus King Park, and Triskelion Arts. He has choreographed solos for Alonzo King Lines Summer Intensive, SUNY Purchase, and Fiorello H. Laguardia High School. He has been a movement director & choreographer for several galleries, films & music videos including projects for GoalKeepers, Luca Fogale, and Ralph Pucci.
As a teacher Quaba has taught contemporary/floorwork for classes for Juilliard, Juilliard Summer Intensive, NYU Summer Intensive, Gibney, Peridance, Marymount College, MOVE NYC, Barnard/Columbia College, Steps On Broadway and is an adjunct professor at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance.
Photo by Mark MannDesigned by Quaba Venza Ernest