PSIDF is a platform for artists to produce their work, enhance the local communities of the Coachella Valley’s understanding of concert dance, provide comprehensive education to youth, and celebrate diversity and world cultures. The festival operates nationally/internationally with choreographic residencies, master classes, performances, community outreach & touring. In 2013, Nickerson-Rossi Dance
(NRD) was commissioned by the Museum Associates Council (MAC) of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Excitingly, the company presented its first program “DNA” which was to bring life into a community through the medium of dance. The positive response from the community motivated Michael Nickerson-Rossi to dive deeper into dance programming and opportunities in the Coachella Valley. He ambitiously reached out to the Arts District Coordinator of the Palm Springs Unified School District, Louisa Castrodale. From there, Miss Castrodale hired Michael to create a program of dance for the students of Rancho Mirage High School, made possible by the Helen Galen Foundation. The warm and wonderful community embraced his educational and professional program of dance. Through Nickerson-Rossi’s creativity and conviction, Louisa continued working with him for another 3 years. In 2015 the Palm Springs Art Museum/Annenberg Theater commissioned NRD to present a full evening concert. Nickerson-Rossi designed the performance to reflect his vast repertoire and titled it “Past & Present”. His extensive program of dance included educational outreach, free public programming, and an evening of professional dance, which was performed at the PSAM Annenberg Theater in February 2016. Nickerson-Rossi’s original 2012 dream of dance in the Coachella Valley was profoundly received by the community at large and the Palm Springs International Dance Festival was born!
“celebration of beauty and skill.”
-Joan McKenna, Palm Springs Life
October 23, 2012
