Help Me Bring My Choreography to NYC for the A.C.E. Awards

✨ Help Me Bring My Choreography to NYC for the A.C.E. Awards ✨

Hi, I’m MaryAnn Chavez — a professional choreographer, dancer, and educator based in Los Angeles. I’ve worked in both commercial and concert dance for over a decade, and my mission as an artist has always been to create work that empowers dancers, tells the truth through movement, and offers meaningful performance opportunities to underrepresented voices in the industry.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been selected as one of only 15 finalists for the 2025 Capezio A.C.E. Awards in New York City — a national choreography competition that highlights the most visionary emerging choreographers. This is a huge milestone in my career and a rare opportunity to showcase my work on a national stage in front of some of the most influential names in the dance industry.

But I can’t do it alone. I need your help to bring this vision to life.

Why I Need Your Support

This opportunity requires me to travel from Los Angeles to New York City this August, rehearse and stage a fully produced piece with a cast of 9 dancers, and cover all of the costs associated with travel, lodging, rehearsal space, dancer pay, meals, and wardrobe. As an independent artist, these costs add up quickly — and I want to make sure I’m compensating my dancers fairly while delivering a piece that represents the caliber and integrity of our collective artistry.

Your donation will directly support:

Estimated Costs

✈️ Flights (me + assistant) $460

️ Hotel (6 nights in NYC) $1,560

Rehearsal Space (20 hrs) $400

Dancer Pay (9 dancers) $1,800

️ Meal Stipends (5 days) $1,350

Wardrobe / Costumes $1,000

➕ 15% Contingency Buffer $1,080

Total Goal $8,000

About the Capezio A.C.E. Awards

"Get ready for the ultimate showcase of groundbreaking talent at the A.C.E. Awards—where the future of dance choreography takes center stage!"

Hosted during the Dance Teacher Summit, the Capezio A.C.E. Awards attracts hundreds of submissions from choreographers across every style — from tap and jazz to ballet, contemporary, and musical theatre. Only 15 finalists are selected to present their work in front of a star-studded panel of industry pros, and 3 winners will receive funding to bring their full-length production dreams to life.

This isn’t just a performance — it’s a launchpad.

❤️ How You Can Help

Donate any amount — no gift is too small.

Share this campaign with your community, dance lovers, and creatives.

Leave a message of encouragement — it fuels us more than you know.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me and my dancers make this dream a reality. Let’s bring LA to NYC and show the world what we’re made of.

With gratitude,

MaryAnn Chavez