Choreographers

From Hillsboro, Oregon, Andrea Parson began dancing to country music records in her living room and went on to become a leading dancer for NW Dance Project where she danced, choreographed, taught, and mentored for 11 years, earning a prestigious Princess Grace Award in the process. Andrea is currently on faculty at Pacific University, working on her own projects, and can be spotted in Sellwood walking her cat in its stroller.

Originally from Japan, Yoshito Sakuraba began his career in New York City and has expanded to presenting works throughout the US and around the world. He has won numerous awards including NW Dance Project’s Pretty Creatives International Choreographic Competition in 2015. Yoshito is the founding artistic director of Abarukas.

Sarah Slipper was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, trained at the Royal Ballet School in London, and had a lauded career with the Royal Winnipeg before turning to choreography and founding NW Dance Project in 2004. A Fine Balance, her pas de deux created during the first year of NW Dance Project, was a finalist for the prestigious Benois de la Danse award in 2006 and was performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow as part of the award’s gala celebration.