OUR MISSION
ZCODP mission is to craft captivating performances imbued with wit, soul, intelligence, and power, all while weaving an intriguing narrative. We are dedicated to fostering the integration and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, both within the realm of dance and in society at large. Our aim is to unveil fresh, exhilarting, thought-provoking, and inspiriting contemporary dance experiences, reaching the broadest possible audience.
Artistic Director and Founder
Zazel Chavah O'Garra
I have a new life through dance, rising above body deficits, embracing a new body and the illumination of a life force. 
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Zazel is an accomplished dancer, actor, model, and brain tumor survivor!
Zazel-Chavah O’Garra is the founder and Artistic Director of ZCO/DANCEPROJECT,a physically integrated dance company whose goal is to create performances that are witty, soulful, intelligent, powerful and intriguing. ZCODP seeks to encourage the integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in dance and in society, to present new, exciting, challenging, and inspiring contemporary dance performances to the widest possible audience.
A native New Yorker, Zazel attended the University of Michigan and Empire State College where she received a Bachelor of Arts in dance performance. A Presidential Arts Scholar, she performed with Mark Dendy Dance Company and Alvin Ailey Wksp II, as well as performing Off-Broadway and in numerous musical theatre stage productions in the U.S. and abroad. She has also served as movement coach for “As the World Turns”. As a professional model, she has appeared on two Essence Magazine covers and several other print and runway jobs. She also appeared in national, regional commercial industrials and supplied voice overs for a number of ads. In December 2003, Zazel discovered that she had meningioma, a benign brain tumor, which proceeded to paralyze her right side and resulted in a slight speech impediment and cognitive loss. After receiving extensive treatment at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (East Orange, NJ) and New York University Rusk Medical Center, Zazel was able to overcome the speech impediment, cognitive loss, and paralysis. Consciously deciding to make best use of this debilitating circumstance, Zazel transitioned into teaching dance as a healing form to the disabled and non-disabled alike, continuing to share her infectiously positive and fun spirit with others. Her objective is to give those with disabilities a vehicle for self-expression, help them build a sense of self-esteem and self-reliance, and provide them with opportunities for community recognition and acclaim. She is also passionate about raising public awareness about the challenges facing and the gifts offered by those with disabilities. Zazel can be heard on numerous podcasts and webinars including the National Foundation for the Arts, Preparing Students with Disabilities for Careers in the Arts: Approaches for Arts Educators, and most recently appeared on the Dr. Oz show to share her life as a brain tumor survivor. Wanting to share her story, she performs Inside/Out (voices of the disability community), directed by Ping Chong, nationwide. Zazel is the recipient of the VSA-John F. Kennedy- National Teaching Artist fellowship and was named the inaugural member of the White House Disability Liaison 2014. |
Her recent performances include: This/Ability-Samuel Beckett Theatre, Theatre Breaking Through Barriers, Undesirable Elements-Lincoln Center, Bodystorming Access Cooper Hewitt Museum, Respectability-Positive Exposure 109, Judson Memorial Church, Secret Histories - NYPL Lincoln Center, Imagining an Accessible NYC.
Professional Affiliations: Arts and Education Committee-Board of Education, Disability Task Force, DANCE/NYC, SAG-AFTRA/PWD, Ambassador-Voices Against Brain Cancer and Divaswithdisabilities. Zazel holds an MSW from Fordham University and is a member SAG-AFTRA, EQUITY.
Professional Affiliations: Arts and Education Committee-Board of Education, Disability Task Force, DANCE/NYC, SAG-AFTRA/PWD, Ambassador-Voices Against Brain Cancer and Divaswithdisabilities. Zazel holds an MSW from Fordham University and is a member SAG-AFTRA, EQUITY.
Zazel is partnered with the following:
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MEET OUR DANCERS
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NANETTE DE CILLISNanette De Cillis began her professional dance career in 1978 after studies with Professor Dorothy Vislocky at Hunter College. With Contact Improvisation, Nanette discovered a movement vocabulary that resonated. She danced with notables Pooh Kaye, Robin Feld, Elise Bernhardt, Remy Charlip, and Johanna Boyce among others. Her work with mixed ability dance began in 1984, when fellow dancer Carey Erickson sustained a devastating spinal cord injury. From that tragedy, came an unexpected medical milestone when Carey walked again, and for Nanette, a life’s passion to create inclusive dance. Most recently, with her own company, No Limit Dance, Nanette has choreographed, danced and raised money for spinal cord injury research in venues from the Brooklyn Historical Society to the Winter Garden. She is thrilled to be joining Zazel and ZCO to continue the work. |
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MILLIE GONZALEZMillie Gonzalez is a proud member of ZCO Dance Project, a New York-based modern dance company producing powerful and intriguing dance works of artistic distinction performed by dancers with disabilities. She is also a founding member of Shimmy Sisters, a modern belly dance troupe out of New Jersey, and has performed with Heidi Latsky Dance Company in the human art installation, "On Display." Millie has participated in AXIS Dance Company’s Physically Integrated Dance Intensive & Teacher Training with Artistic Director Marc Brew, and completed a Summer Intensive with Full Radius Dance, learning technique, improvisation, site-specific, choreography and teacher training. In addition, Millie is on the board of directors for the Spina Bifida Resource Network and Alliance Center for Independence, and is the co-emcee for the NJ Disability Pride Parade. She also organizes the ReelAbilities: NJ Disabilities Film Festival at Kean University, which features disabled artists, performers and speakers alongside award-winning international films that promote awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. She is a frequent public speaker and works full-time as a writer, editor and event planner.
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COLLEEN ROCHEColleen Roche was introduced to dance as exercise and a form of non-verbal expression several years ago. She joined ZCO Dance Project in 2014, and is thankful to be part of a company committed to making dance accessible to all. She also enjoys practicing Parcon, an inclusive, cooperative, site specific movement practice, and is a member of the Shimmy Sisters, a modern belly dance troupe. |
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DINA JACKSON Dina Jackson, is a 57 year old breast cancer survivor. Paralyzed from the disease and chemotherapy, Dina still has a zest for life! She enjoys dancing, sports, concerts and theatre events. Dina loves her daughters, grandchildren, and extended family and friends. Dina thanks God for life! |
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NIKA ANTUANETTE
Nika Antuanette is a performing artist & dancer. She has performed & choreographed in music videos, dances for stage & screen, & immersive experiences. She is also a wellness enthusiast who savors time in nature and creates healthy concoctions in the kitchen. Nika also teaches Yoga, Stretch, & Meditation classes. Check out more @nika.antuanette on Instagram!
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WENDY ANN POWELL Wendy Ann Powell, an only child was born in Brooklyn, NY and is the daughter of Colombian born father Yecid Oviedo Gutierrez and America born mother Amelia Martin. Wendy attended Public Schools and studied dance at Brooklyn College. Upon leaving Brooklyn College she studied and performed with Dance June Lewis & Company. In addition, Wendy was an original member of Ayitia la Dance Company, Dance Danamaria and has performed with Alden Moves Dance Theater in an immersive version of the Nutcracker. Over the years Wendy has performed for elected officials, religious institutions, hospitals, schools, cultural institutions and senior citizen centers. As a Girl Scout co-leader she has taught dance workshops to Daises and Brownies. In the past, she has also conducted workshops for Girl Scout Cadets and mentored various Girl Scout dance projects. Moreover, in 2015, she was invited to perform by National Teaching Artist, Margaret Elaine Plaza of Omega Dance Company. Ms. Powell is also a 2016 Brooklyn Arts Council Grant recipient for the project, Beat the Drum for Haiti. Wendy is also a performing artist with Agoci Dance Company as well as a certified Zumba instructor. Additionally, she is attending City College as a Theatre major where she was awarded the Alexandria Desantis and Southern Nevada Alumni Chapter Scholarships. She is the proud mother of two daughters and one son. Her husband, formally a successful song writer is former a New York State Committeeman official.
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Aaron MckAaron Mck is a 1983 born Millennial. He playfully calls himself “one of the oldest Millennials." He studied Broadcast Management and Music at Howard University!
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Donna RussoDonna comes from a background in dance starting at 10 years old. She is a graduate from Mercyhurst University with a B.A. in Dance. Currently, Donna has two unrelated conditions FSH Muscular Dystrophy and Turner Syndrome. It is an honor to be Dancing with Zoo Project. You can also see her Dancing in the Donna On The Go on YouTube.
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Abigail Dias
Abby is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She has worked with choreographers such as Mimi Quillin, Beth Jucovy, Joanna Mauer, and Mary Seidman. Abby is currently dancing with Beth Soll and Company, eSKay Arts Collective, Kennedy Dancers, Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, and Katharine Pettit Creative. She has performed on stages such as Radio City Music Hall, the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, Jazz at Lincoln Center, BAM Fisher, University Settlement, New York Live Arts, Dixon Place, and multiple performances at the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
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Work YWork joined ZCODP as a novice dancer, hoping to build community with fellow disabled dancers, while building her confidence in body movement. She was met with warm welcomes and genuine encouragement from experienced dancers at ZCODP quickly developing both community and confidence in her performance capabilities. Work is a native New Yorker, after her parents immigrated from Ethiopia in the early 1980’s. |
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Rianna RowellRianna started dancing at 8 years old. She is fully inspired to join ZCO/DANCEPROJECT. She is a student at Kingsborough Community College majoring in speech therapy. |
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Rush JohnsonRush Johnson (they/them) is a Bronx -based multimedia choreographer, performer filmmaker, and movement researcher. Rush creates at the intersection of visual and performing art, often exploring modes of artistic expression beyond the binary. As a queer, Native, disabled artist,
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Amelia Boyce MunsonAmelia Boyce Munson, a Brooklyn-based choreographer, specializes in intimacy and musical theater, infusing her work with playfulness, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. Inspired by her mother, Johanna Boyce, a prominent post-modern dance choreographer from 1980s NYC, Amelia's life has been dedicated to responsible physical storytelling. She holds a BA in Critical Identity Studies from Beloit College and in 2018 Amelia co-founded Skylight Theater Collective, a feminist theater company in Boston. Over the past two years, she has trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education, focusing on trauma-informed and consent-based practices, to create inclusive classroom and rehearsal environments. She is a teaching artist with Ping Chong & Co and Eileen Cannon LLC. |
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Anita Walker-RodriguezAnita Walker-Rodriguez is a resilient and accomplished individual who has made a lasting impact on her community. Born in the Bronx and raised in Queens, Anita pursued her Bachelors degree and Masters in Education from City College. For an impressive 16 years Anita served as the Assistant Director of the SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) program at Medgar Evers College. Anita is a devoted mother of 4 children. Anita is a brain aneurysm survivor, a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. |
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Gha'il Rhodes BenjaminGha’il Rhodes Benjamin is an award winning spoken-word performance- recording artist, Audelco award winning actress, self-empowerment speaker, educator and director. Her tribute to women across the planet titled Tiddies Ain’t Everything/ for Sarah the Butterscotch Sunflower Queen was featured in the 2020 African Voices Magazine Spring edition (promoting breast care awareness all year round). Gha’il’s performance- artistry has been featured in The Appel Room of Jazz at Lincoln center in collaboration with John Senakwami and pianist Julius Rodriguez. Ms. Benjamin’s collaboration with Jeff Haynes on the CD titled Storm King with the late great Pete Seeger was Grammy nominated and also the winner of the Audio book of the Year Award, (Publishers Weekly), The Nappa Silver Award and the Audio Files Earphone Award. Ms. Benjamin coaches, facilitates and directs an array of workshops and performances for varying audiences. Most recently she served as Creative Director for ZCO Dance Project’s (dancers with disabilities) first LIVE performance since 2019. |