Daniel Gwirtzman

Daniel Gwirtzman serves as Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Performance at Ithaca College's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, having joined the Department of Theatre Arts in Fall 2019 and been promoted to Associate Professor in May 2025. A producer, educator, filmmaker and performer, he celebrates thirty years as a New York City choreographer and company director through the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, which has earned praise for its inventiveness, humor, stylistic diversity, musicality, charisma and accessibility.

His research interests span dance education, choreography, dance in film, and making dance accessible to wider audiences. He has pioneered innovative approaches to dance presentation, including the Dance With Us digital platform launched in 2021 to bridge the divide separating dance from mainstream culture. His work often explores the intersection of dance with narrative, technology, and community engagement, with recent projects like e-Motion examining human-AI relationships through dance theater.

Gwirtzman's artistic output demonstrates consistent innovation across multiple formats, from stage performances to dance films to digital platforms. His productions often blend genres and disciplines while maintaining accessibility, with recent works like Framing Ménerbes combining travelogue with artistic process documentation and e-Motion exploring technology through dance theater. His work has been recognized by prestigious venues including Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Edinburgh International Fringe Festival, and The Kennedy Center.

• DanceBreak Foundation selection (2010) supporting the 'next generation of great Broadway choreographers'
• Commissions and residencies from Joyce Theater Foundation, The Yard, Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Raumars (Finland), Sacatar Foundation (Brazil), Maison Dora Maar (France)
• Rockefeller Brothers Fund grant ($10,000) for Dance With Us digital resource creation
• Time Out New York critic's pick for The Fantasyland Project
• Harper's Bazaar selection of Dance With Us launch as among 'Top Best Art, Dance, Theater, and Music Events' nationally

Gwirtzman has served as a Board Member for the National Dance Education Organization since 2017, first as Advisory Board Member/Director of E-Communication (2017-2019), then as Policy Board member (2020-2022), and currently serving another three-year term (2023-2025). He also serves on The University of Michigan School of Theatre, Music, and Dance Alumni Board. His educational initiatives reach over 20,000 students through NYC public schools and professional training programs for dancers at all levels. His current projects include Framing Ménerbes film screenings scheduled through November 2025 and continued development of e-Motion exploring AI and dance.