SARAH ZEHNDER (she/her) is a Massachusetts-based dance artist. ZEHNDER DANCE, established in 2010 by Sarah Zehnder (Artistic Director/Choreographer), is a NY and MA-based contemporary dance company known for its complex partnering, commanding physicality, boldness and architectural precision. Zehnder’s choreographic research, rooted in feminism, aims to cultivate community, inclusivity, and equality by focusing on different relationships through touch. Zehnder’s choreographic themes often address and challenge power dynamics, socio-political systems and structures, and gender stereotypes, with a focus on the amplification of women's stories. Zehnder’s credits include: Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, the ADG Festival, Reverb International Dance Festival, Florence Summer Dance (Florence, Italy), Pasadena Dance Festival, DUMBO Dance Festival, the Solo/Duo Festival, the MAD Festival, Midwest RAD Festival, the Women in Dance Project (NYC and Chicago), the Versatility Dance Festival (CO and Chicago), the Evening of Contemporary Dance Performance Series (NYC), Utica Dance Festival, and Buffalo Dance festival. Her work has been presented at Dixon Place, Ailey Citigroup Theatre, MMAC, Gowanus Arts, Triskelion Arts, 92nd Y, Greenspace, and CPR. Subsequently, she was awarded the Bossak/Heibron Charitable Foundation grant to support her research as well as a space residency at Chen Dance Center. Zehnder was also awarded the Appleton Grant as well as a Choreographic Fellowship from Mass Cultural Council to support the creation Permeating Voices that Linger, in collaboration with composer/vocalist Alexandra Ludwig. Most recently, she was awarded a Research Fellowship through the Jacob's Pillow College Partnership Program for 2023-2024 to support her feminist research. Furthermore, she has shared her choreographic vision as a Guest Artist at Dance New Amsterdam, Gibney Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Santa Monica College, Grand Canyon University, Scottsdale Community College, SUNY Brockport, Glendale Community College and Queens College. Zehnder currently serves as Director of Dance at Springfield College.
