Gerson Lanza, a tap dancer, choreographer, and educator, will present his show “To Dance Means To Be Free” at The City College of New York on May 14 and 15. Both performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Aaron Davis Hall at the college’s Manhattan campus.
The event is organized by the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts and is mainly funded by the CUNY Dance Initiative. The performance blends tap dance, live music, and spoken word to explore themes such as race, ethnicity, and immigration. It aims to celebrate authenticity in rhythm while encouraging a deeper understanding of Blackness and American society.
Lanza was born in La Ceiba, Honduras and moved to New York City in 2001 where he began training in tap dance. He has worked with Music From The Sole and participated in residencies at several major arts institutions including Lincoln Center and Jacob’s Pillow. Lanza has also been recognized as a Strathmore College Amplify Artist and Artist-in-Residence.
The CUNY Dance Initiative was established following a report from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation highlighting challenges faced by dancers due to limited affordable rehearsal space in New York City. Since its formal launch in 2014 after an initial pilot program, CDI has provided over 275 residencies for choreographers across multiple campuses.
The Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts serves as a cultural hub on CCNY’s campus that supports creativity within both the college community and its surrounding neighborhood.
