ABOUT
The Joffrey Concert Group is proud to present our highly anticipated Spring 2026 performance, In My Art, a celebration of artistry, creativity, and innovation in dance. This dynamic evening highlights the exceptional talent of choreographers selected for the Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative (CMCI), a cornerstone of our mission to uplift emerging voices in the field.
​
We are thrilled to feature two CMCI world premieres, "By Any Other Name" by Clifford Williams and "Stolen Moments" by Bernard H. Gaddis, works that reflect bold vision and powerful choreographic storytelling.
​
We also proudly present "Of Light", a luminous creation by internationally acclaimed choreographer Ken Ossola, represented by GCDancEvents. First premiered during our ICONS Dance Festival 2025, this radiant work returns to the stage as part of In My Art 2026, continuing its exploration of clarity, connection, and human presence.
​
The evening will further be enriched by new and returning works from Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Bradley Shelver, whose pieces "When the Water Breaks", "And The Things That Remain", and "OOF" showcase his distinct blend of physicality, emotion, and theatrical nuance, bringing depth and momentum to the program.
​​
Learn more about the choreographers: CLick here
Ticket Link: CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
​
OPENING RECEPTION
Our Opening Night Fundraising Reception on February 20 is a special celebration that enhances the premiere of In My Art 2026 with an elevated and memorable experience. Reception guests will enjoy admission to the opening night performance, connect with the company dancers and choreographers during an exclusive meet and greet, take part in a raffle featuring exciting prizes, and enjoy complimentary food and drinks. The reception will take place in the same venue immediately following the show.
​​
Ticket Link: CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Raffle Tickets: CLick here to purchase
​
DONATIONS & MERCHANDISE
All proceeds from the event directly support the Joffrey Concert Group.
​
Donation link: CLick here to donate
Merchandise: joffrey concert group t-shirt
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.
ABOUT BRADLEY SHELVER
Artistic Director & Resident Choreographer
Bradley Shelver trained at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg, South Africa and The Ailey School in New York. He is the Acting Artistic Director of the Jazz & Contemporary Trainee department at the Joffrey Ballet School and sits on the Artistic Advisory Board of the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.
​
He has danced with Ailey II, Elisa Monte Dance, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, The Francesca Harper Project, Limón Dance Company, Phoenix Dance Theater (UK), and in projects with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co., Lar Lubovich Dance, The Universal Ballet, Radio City Music Hall, and in productions with the Mark Morris Dance Group. He is in his 15th season as a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. He has choreographed works for; Contemporary West Dance Theater Graham 2, Big Muddy Dance Company, Richmond Ballet, Ailey II, Ballet Austin, Lustig Dance Theater, Compania Rio Danca, New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble, Cape Dance Company, Cedar Lake 2, Sobers & Godley Dance, as well as creating works for The Royal Danish and Royal Swedish Ballet Schools, Joffrey Ballet School, Central Ballet School (London) The Ailey School, Boston Conservatory, Long Island University, Purchase College and Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the founder of Bradley Shelver Contemporary Dance Theater.
He was co-producer and curator for the annual REVERBdance Festival from 2010-2016. From 2013-2016, he was the Artistic Director of the STEPS Repertory Ensemble and the Production Director for Steps on Broadway. He was the Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Dance Festival Company from 2018-2020. Mr Shelver is an Adjunct at Montclair State University and on the faculty of schools and universities worldwide including; The Ailey School, The Graham School, La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts, Joffrey Ballet School, Bikuratim (Israel), Pan American Modern Dance School (Brazil), Hinton Battle Academy. (Tokyo) DAR Jazz Academy (Russia), ABT/JKO, Limòn Institute, Royal Danish and Royal Swedish Ballet Schools, Ateballeto, Company teacher for Mathew Bourne’s “Adventures in Motion Pictures”, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Lion King, The Metropolitan Opera Ballet. He is a certified ballet teacher with the ABT National Training Curriculum. He was a contributing writer for Dance Spirit Magazine and His book, “Performance Through the Dance Technique of Lester Horton” is available worldwide.
