dance dialogue
A Pointeworks Panel on Creation, Equity & the Future of Ballet
Dance Dialogue is Pointeworks’ ongoing conversation series spotlighting the artists, advocates, and leaders shaping ballet today—onstage and behind the scenes. This panel was held on January 17 at New York City Center as part of Pointeworks’ January NYC residency, and was offered as a pay-what-you-can event to ensure broad community access.
The evening brought together choreographers, a composer, and leaders from Dance Data Project for a candid discussion on authorship, equity, commissioning, and what it takes to build a more sustainable future for artists.
Watch the full conversation below and explore the panelist lineup.
Panelists & Moderator
Moderator
Anabel Alpert — Moderator
After graduating from Miami City Ballet School, Anabel danced professionally with the Sarasota Ballet, Ballet Austin, American Contemporary Ballet, and currently New Chamber Ballet. She is also an experienced marketing director, administrator, donor liaison, and founder of the NYC Emerging Artists Project (2023). Pasted text
Panelists
Sophie Williams — Artistic Director & Panelist
Sophie Williams founded Pointeworks in 2023 with the vision of championing collaboration, expanding opportunities for artists, and amplifying female voices in ballet. Under her leadership, Pointeworks has commissioned new works, launched community programs, and presented performances in San Diego and New York City. Pasted text
Elizabeth “Liza” Yntema — Panelist & Dance Data Project Founder
Elizabeth B. Yntema is the President & Founder of Dance Data Project® (DDP), advancing gender equity in classical ballet through data analysis, advocacy, and transparency. DDP was established in 2015 and has become a leading voice in metrics-based accountability for the dance field. Pasted text
Junyla Silmon — Dance Data Project Senior Research Consultant & Team Training Lead
Junyla Silmon is a New Jersey–based movement artist and researcher and a Senior Research Consultant and Team Training Lead with Dance Data Project, supporting DDP’s mission through research and training work. Pasted text
Panelists
Sarah Foster Sproull — Panelist & Choreographer
Sarah Foster Sproull is a contemporary choreographer working in New Zealand and internationally, an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, and a Fulbright NZ Award Scholar at Tisch Dance NYU (’25). Pasted text
Melody Mennite — Panelist & Choreographer
A former Houston Ballet Principal (2008–2024), Melody Mennite has created 16 commissioned works and continues to choreograph, teach, and perform nationally and internationally. Pasted text
Heather Nichols — Panelist & Choreographer
Heather Nichols has danced with Richmond Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, Kansas City Ballet, and Ballet RI, and has created works including Meraki and Eau d’Effervescence. Pasted text
Katie Jenkins — Panelist & Composer
Katie Jenkins is a multi-award-winning Welsh composer and music producer based in New York City. Her work spans stage and screen, and she has been commissioned by organizations including NASA (Kennedy Space Center) and the New York Choreographic Institute, among others. Pasted text
