Dim Sum Dance was formed in 2003 as a vehicle for the work of choreographer Julie Mayo. Her dance-making makes use of physical expression through both the intuitive and cognitive capacities of the human psyche/body; its many voices, facilities, flaws and its inherent potential for theatricality. Mayo's influences include her practice and teaching of Skinner Releasing Technique™ as well as studies with Mickie Geller, Tere O'Connor, Susan Rethorst and Stephanie Skura.

Currently, Mayo is interested in investigating movement as a singularity with its own affect. Her curiosity moves around the assumption that dance-making is not about representation and finding out what kind of knowledge movement creates and how this knowledge might enable transformation. Her process involves engaging with the performers as vital partners in the creation of work in that she combines set movement material with spontaneous discoveries in the studio which she then shapes and directs. She makes dances that develop from an exploratory, experiential place. Her work has been shown in San Francisco, Seattle, Richmond, Va, Greensboro, NC, Charlottesville, Va, Columbus, OH and Brooklyn, New York.

Mayo holds a BFA in Dance from Ohio University and Teacher's Licensure from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a certified teacher of Skinner Releasing Technique™ and has been a guest teacher in the dance departments at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Maryland, Ohio University, Juniata College and Wilson College. Mayo has received an artist residency from The Field in New York and grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Richmond Arts and Cultural Consortium.

Current & Past Performers: Damion Bond, Becky Bryant, Eliza Diener-Brazelle, Deborah Hazler, Kerri Helsley, Rachel Hunter, Susie Izzie, Kathleen Legault, Kerry MacDonald, Jamie Reynolds, Mark Richardson, Casey Royer, Travis Sisk, Cara Smith, Jill Sposa, Ashley Valo, Megan Vernon, Megan Michael Zander.

Photo by Doug Hayes