sjDANCEco announces Sixth Annual ChoreoProject Awards  
15 Bay Area choreographers compete for top honors  
Feb 19 and 20, 2010 San Jose, CA 

January 28, 2010 

sjDANCEco today announced the names of the 15 choreographers who will participate in the 6th Annual ChoreoProject Awards. Choreographers from throughout the Bay Area have been selected to showcase their diverse and unique dance styles. The winner of the ChoreoProject Awards will be featured in sjDANCEco's Dancin’Downtown – South Bay Celebrates National Dance Week in April. Two awards and honoraria will be presented; the sjDANCEco Award (to other than sjDANCEco company members) and the People's Choice Award. The performances take place February 19 and 20, 2010 at 7pm at the San José State University's Dance Theatre.  

Showcasing their original dance works are Dalia Rawson, former dancer with Cleveland San Jose Ballet - Ballet San Jose, Jennifer Daugavietis, owner of Grace Dance Academy in Campbell, Tawnya Kuzia, Capezio and NAACP award winner, Hsiang Hsiu Lin, from Taipai and artistic director of Lin HH Dance, Anandha Ray, founder of Moving Arts Dance, Karin Cabello-Moriarty, organizer of the Contact Improvisation at Harbin and West Coast Contact Improvisation in Berkeley, Amy Chang, Berkeley-based dancer, Natasha Carlitz, founder of the Natasha Carlitz Dance Ensemble, Karl Schaffer, co-artistic director of the Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern Dance Ensemble, Julia Quinlan & Melissa Gomes performing together in Quinlan's professional debut, Rasika Kumar, Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose's principal dancer and choreographer, Jeannine Charles, choreographer and instructor at Dancing Sun studio, Heather Cooper, founding member of sjDANCEco, Dominic Duong current member of sjDANCEco and Mike Saenz instructor at  East West Music and Dance and current member of sjDANCEco.  

"What makes ChoreoProject Awards so interesting is the level of talent, diversity and variety of dance in the Bay Area is showcased in one event," said Gary Masters, artistic director and co-founder of sjDANCEco. "It is exciting to see the level of creativity and inspiration for an event that continues to grow each year."  

"The choreographers are selected by an audition process, which the founding directors of sjDANCEco oversee, to ensure the high standard of choreography that the ChoreoProject is known for," said Maria Basile artistic director and co-founder of sjDANCEco. "From there, the audience gets to choose their favorite. This year we were delighted to have received more applicants than in previous years. The word is spreading and choreographers from around the Bay Area understand what a great event this."  

About sjDANCEco  
The mission of sjDANCEco is to nurture the creative spirit of professional and emerging dance artists and to inspire audiences to discover dance. sjDANCEco achieves their mission through innovative performances, community festivals and outreach. sjDANCEco was founded in 2003 by Board Chair Melanie Doerrner and Gary Masters, Associate Professor of Dance at San Jose State University, an accomplished dancer and choreographer internationally known for his work with the Limón Dance Company. In addition to their annual fall performance, sjDANCEco hosts the annual Dancin’ Downtown, a free dance festival performed in the heart of downtown San Jose at the Circle of Palms/Fairmont Plaza.  
  
What: sjDANCEco’s 6th Annual ChoreoProject Awards  
When: 7pm Friday, February 19, 2010 and 7pm Saturday, February 20, 2010  
Where: SJSU's Dance Theatre 5th & San Carlos (one block into campus at 4th & San Carlos )  
Tickets: $20 general - $12 seniors and students (tickets are available at the door)  

For more information: visit www.sjdanceco.org  or 408-924.5041