Verve features COCA’s Pre-Professional Division dance companies, COCAdance and Ballet Eclectica. This production is the culmination of their work across the season—highlighting their versatility as they present 12 dance works across three different programs. In preparation for this concert, COCA pre-professional artists experience creative development residencies with renowned guest artists from around the world. These professional artists mount new works and collaborate with COCA’s production team to fully realize each piece.

Verve guest choreographers include Julien Guérin, Thang Dao, Mark Caserta, and Da’Von Doane. In addition, Verve showcases new works choreographed by COCA faculty—Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Carrie Fernandez, Ashley Hamann, Carly Vanderheyden, and Sam Gaitsch.

This performance weekend is also a celebration for COCA’s graduating class. On opening night, Friday, May 9, graduating seniors will perform a solo piece and share their senior statements, including their college or post-secondary training plans.  

Recommended for All Ages

Run Time: 2 hours

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About the Guest Choreographers

Julien Guérin

Julien Guérin is a former dancer and performer with the Ballets de Monte Carlo. He choreographed his first pieces, such as Theorem68 and Verwirrung der Gefühle, in partnership with the Monaco School of Plastic Arts. Julien was invited to the New York Choreographic Institute to create Beaudelairian Souls and won the competition for young choreographers at the Opéra National de Bordeaux.

Julien has created numerous works, including Démons et Merveilles for the Opéra de Nice, Scaramouche for the Opéra Grand Avignon, and Dear Soaring Thoughts for the Czech National Ballet. He has also choreographed for prestigious institutions like the Beijing Dance Academy, the School of American Ballet, and the Académie Princesse Grace. Notable ballets include La Princesse de Clèves, created for the Ballet de l’Opéra-Théâtre Eurométropole de Metz in its world premiere, and Le Temps du Tendre for the Ballets de Monte Carlo.

Thang Dao

Thang Dao resides between Los Angeles and New York City, working as a freelance choreographer, educator, and coach. A graduate of Hollins University (MFA ’21) and New York University (MA ’09), Dao received his formal dance education from the Juilliard School and Boston Conservatory (BFA ’01).

Dao has choreographed for esteemed organizations such as Ballet Austin, Ballet X, Ailey II, Philadanco, and many universities worldwide. His works have toured extensively, earning accolades such as the Audience Choice Award for Stepping Ground. He was also the recipient of the 2008 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship and the 2022 #launchPAD residency at the Guggenheim.

Mark Caserta

Mark Caserta, born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, graduated from the University of the Arts School of Dance (BFA, Dance & Ballet Performance, 2010). Mark has danced professionally with international touring companies including Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, and Camille A. Brown & Dancers.

Mark has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Philadelphia Rocky Award for Outstanding Dance Performance and the 2023 Princess Grace Award in Choreography. Mark founded BIGKID Dance in 2021, a queer movement collective based in Philadelphia, and has presented multiple evening-length works showcasing their unique voice in contemporary dance.

Da’Von Doane

Da’Von Doane began his training at the Salisbury Studio of Dance, studying with Betty Webster, Tatiana Akinfieva-Smith, and Elena Manakhova. At 15, he joined the Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre as a full-time academic student, training there for four years. In 2008, Da’Von moved to New York City and joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble. He went on to perform with Ballet Noir, Jacob’s Pillow, and Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), where he toured extensively and performed in works by renowned choreographers, including Ulysses Dove, George Balanchine, and Nacho Duato.

Da’Von has been featured as one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch (2014) and in various multimedia projects, such as Estelle’s music video for “Conqueror.” He has also created original dance works presented by institutions like Bryant Park, Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center, and Symphony Space. Recently, Da’Von received his graduate degree from the University of the Arts and continues to perform and choreograph independently.