ABOUT CMCI
The Joffrey Concert Group and the Joffrey Ballet Center present, Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative 2026.
The Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative is a search for the dance makers of the future. The initiative provides innovative and emerging dance makers the opportunity to develop their creative voices. Two New York and Tristate-area choreographers will be awarded the creative time and space to produce a new work between 12-17 minutes for the 20-member Joffrey Concert Group.
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Choreographers in contemporary, modern, or contemporary ballet styles, between the ages of 19-35 are encouraged to apply. Recipients will receive a $2500 stipend for a 40-hour rehearsal process, over four weeks.
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Commissioned works will be fully produced and presented for a New York City Theater during the “In My Art” performance on February 20 and 21 2026.​
2026 CMCI CHOREOGRAPHERS
Meet the selected Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative choreographers
BERNARD H. Gaddis
CMCI Choreographer 2026
Founder and Artistic Director of Contemporary West Dance Theatre & Conservatory (CWDT) is the first professional Contemporary dance company in the history of Nevada and is now celebration its 16th year. Mr. Gaddis' is also the first person of color to establish a major professional dance company in the state of Nevada. Bernard has choreographed over 32 ballets some of his works can been seen on various dance companies and universities and was recently chosen for the Jacob Pillow ACDA dance festival. Bernard’s dance studies began in Philadelphia at the High School for the Performing Arts, where he received numerous awards and scholarships; including a full scholarship to the prestigious Governor’s School for the
performing Arts, a school for gifted dance students. Mr. Gaddis has also received scholarships to Pennsylvania Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Princeton Ballet, & The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Bernard’s first professional dance experience was with the Philadelphia dance company "Philadanco" under the direction of the renowned Joan Myers Brown. Bernard has since been a certified Master Horton and Ballet teacher that has been teaching for the past twenty years both nationally and internationally to many dancers in Universities and Professional companies.
Bernard became the Co-Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer for Philadanco’s second performing company D2. Bernard has received numerous awards for his role as Artistic Director & Choreographer, most notably the prestigious award for Men Making a Difference in the city of Philadelphia presented to him by Senator Chakka Fattah and the Living the Dream award for community leadership and helping solidify the arts here in Las Vegas.
A principal dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bernard danced under the Directorship of the renowned Judith Jamison. Bernard joined the L.A. cast of The Broadway Musical The Lion King as a principal dancer and chorus singer. Mr. Gaddis was a Principal Artist for several Cirque Du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, performing as a Dancer, Choreographer and Dance Captain for one of the headlining acts in Zumanity and Mystere.
clifford williams
CMCI Choreographer 2026
Williams began his dance training at F.H. LaGuardia High School of Art and the Performing Arts. He attended The Ailey School and The School of American Ballet, both on scholarship. He was a first-level recipient of a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award in 1998. In 1998, he attended The Juilliard School, where he danced works by many choreographers, including Lar Lubovitch, Igal Perry, Hans Van Manen, José Limón, and Mauricio Wainrot. In 2001, he was invited to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem, where he danced until 2003.
In 2004, Mr. Williams joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet (New York, NY). He has danced works by Dwight Rhoden, William Forsythe, Nicolo Fonte, and Jae Man Joo. And many others Since 2004, Mr. Williams has assisted Director/Choreographer Dwight Rhoden on numerous projects including ballets for Peridace (PCDC) North Carolina Dance Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, The Diana Vishneva Project, Ballet San Jose, Israel Ballet, Teatro Dell’Opera Di Roma Ballet de Nice , San Francisco Ballet , Pacific Northwest Ballet as well as for the television show "So You Think You Can Dance." He has also set Dwight Rhoden's works on The Ailey School/Fordham University, Boston Conservatory, SMU, Harvard University, Marymount University, USC, Indiana University, and NYU Tisch School for the Arts.
In 2008, Mr. Williams left Complexions to dance as a Principal dancer with Compañia Nacional De Danza under the Direction of Nacho Duato. During that time, he danced many principal parts and was featured in creations by Mr. Duato. Mr. Williams rejoined Complexions from 2009-2012. In 2014, Williams was featured in Debbie Allen’s “The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” as the Title character, which aired on BET Network. In 2015, Williams was featured in the STARZ mini series as well as nominated for the prestigious Benois de la Danse for Dwight Rhoden's “Ave Maria,” which he danced with Misty Copeland. Williams then toured an international production “The Great Gatsby” the only American principal dancer among principals from the Marinskii Ballet. In 2020, Williams was featured in NETFLIX'S Debbie Allen's "Nutcracker Dreams” as well as “In The Heights” Motion picture. 2018-2022 Williams began a more in-depth role with Complexions Academy, serving as the Director of the Pre-Pro Division as well as being one of few certified in teaching “Nique” the official Contemporary Ballet technique of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. 2020-2022 Williams served as Rehearsal Director for Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Williams continues to teach and choreograph, in addition to staging Rhoden works all over the world.
IN MY ART
The Ailey Citigroup Theater​
February 20 & 21, 2026
The CMCI performance, In My Art, showcasing new works by Bernard H. Gaddis, Clifford Williams, and Artistic Director Bradley Shelver will take place from February 20 - February 21, 2026 at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Join us in celebrating the artistic innovation and choreographic verve of Gaddis, Williams, and Shelver and witness the next generation of dancers in the Joffrey Concert Group.
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