Diversiform Dance Project was formed in 2021 to create a professional dance company that would welcome dancers of all sizes, ages, and dance backgrounds to perform new work for the greater Detroit community. The company explores and fuses a wide range of dance styles including modern, jazz, ballet, and social dance which provides an eclectic repertoire and an exciting amount of variation within just one company.

Now in its 3rd season, Diversiform Dance Project has performed at the Detroit Dance Festival, Detroit Dance Race, Oakland Dance Festival, The Roxy in Downtown Rochester and numerous community events. They also present a full length show each season. Contact us at: diversiformdanceproject@gmail.com if you are interested in having us perform at your event.

Artistic Director Cindy Raffel

Cindy Raffel’s choreography has been chosen to perform at the 25th Detroit Dance Race, Paradigm Shift an Evening of Women’s Work, the American College Dance Festival, and numerous choreography showcases. She has also choreographed for multiple dance studios in Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. She trained at Martinique School of Dance, Richmond Ballet, Virginia School of the Arts, and Alonzo King LINES Discovery Project and received her degree in Dance Education from Radford University in Radford, Virginia. She also danced professionally with the Florida Dance Theatre and Tampa Bay Ballet. In 2013 Cindy founded 2nd Street Studio of Dance and in 2016 started Tutus and Tendus, a dance retail shop. She also founded 2nd Street Swing where she teaches free lessons to the community keeping traditional Charleston and Lindy Hop alive. Her love of dance history is evident in her work as she likes to look back for inspiration, but always keep an eye on the future. She loves all things dance and that is apparent in everything she does!

Assistant Director Julia Moore Watkins

Julia Moore is a dancer and choreographer from Metro Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Wayne State University with a BFA in dance. Julia has danced for over twenty years in the Detroit and Metro-Detroit area and has trained in many styles from classical ballet to modern, jazz, and contemporary. Throughout her years as a dancer, Julia has developed a specific taste for choreography. She creates unique movement that questions the relationship between staccato and flow. In her most recent works, Julia has practiced using improvisation and momentary movement as choreography. Her inspiration and artistry stems from her training from artists including Biba Bell, Meg Paul, Molly Shanahan, Lisa LaMarre, and Brandon Koepsell. Julia is currently the Assistant Director of Diversiform Dance Project and Director of Diversifrom Dance Project Youth Company.

2023-2024 Artists

Photo Gallery

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Auditions

Interested in joining Diversiform Dance Project? Email resume to: diversiformdanceproject@gmail.com