Daniel Mantei Dance
Daniel’s work “plays entrancingly with gravity— ingeniously stealing it from the physical dimension and infusing it into the emotional realm."
Healing Through Embodied Communication
As a movement artist, choreographer, and massage therapist, I am deeply inspired by the communicative and healing aspects of the human body. For me, the nurturing power of touch, the therapeutic benefits of movement, and our universal urge to express ourselves through dance are fundamentally interconnected.
We all share the unique and universal experiences of self-embodiment, pain, and movement. My therapeutic practice and my choreography are driven by the belief that gentle, informed exploration of the human experience through movement fosters resilience and healing.
My choreography—which naturalizes and normalizes ballet—delves into themes of humanism, justice, and solidarity. Dance acts as a powerful through-line, weaving together time, space, and people, fostering moments of collective connection through a sense of “presencing”. It is truly an honor to share, connect, and transcend through the universal language of dance!
I have created ballets for American Ballet Theatre, The Seattle Symphony, New York Theatre Ballet, Columbia Ballet Collaborative, Avante Chamber Ballet, and The Ensemble for the Romantic Century. I work with dancers across a wide spectrum of ages and ability levels.
