Arianna Hartanov

Winter Intensive 2025 Faculty

Born in Denver, CO (USA), Arianna Hartanov is currently based in Santa Barbara, CA. She has been studying Countertechnique since 2019 as an attendant of several workshops, and successfully completed the Countertechnique Teacher Training program in 2023.

Originally trained by Jocelyn Labsan, she has been working as a professional dancer with State Street Ballet since 2016, where she has performed principal and soloist roles in The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Giselle, among others. She has also had the pleasure of working with Nilas Martins, Edgar Zendejas, Meredith Ventura, and Nicole Powell in their creative processes during her career. Arianna has also been Associate Director and dancer with SELAH Dance Collective since 2020, and most recently produced her first show with them in 2022.

“Countertechnique has considerably changed my perspective on myself and my own dancing. With it, I now have the agency and freedom to explore movement to its fullest everyday. In my professional career as a dancer, it is thrilling to be able to experience dancing fully. I can continue to stay inspired, engaged, and free from my own judgment. With Countertechnique, the process of finding solutions is so much more interesting than trying to find problems. Teaching and helping others to do the same fills my heart with joy.“

@arianna_joy_

Photo: Kim Doelman

After 20 years of artistic creation and community engagement, L.A. Contemporary Dance concludes its journey as an organization as of January 9, 2026.

Founded to showcase dance in Los Angeles, LACDC evolved into a home for collective artistry where performances were crafted by choreographers and dancers alongside playwrights, composers, designers, filmmakers, photographers, stage managers, technicians — an incredible team whose imaginative work gave shape and emotional depth to our repertory. These collaborations brought contemporary dance to life in ways that were bold, explorative, expressive, and accessible.

Through live events, digital experiences, and educational programming, LACDC cultivated environments rooted in curiosity, belonging, and learning without judgment. The organization consistently asked how contemporary dance might better reflect and serve the community around it, valuing discovery over mastery and process alongside performance.

This vision was made possible thanks to the creativity and leadership of our Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, Managing Directors, and Company Staff:

Artistic Leadership

Kate Hutter Mason — Artistic Director & Co-founder (2005–2015)
Genevieve Carson — Artistic Director (2016–2020)
Jamila Glass — Artistic Director (2021–2025)

Executive & Managing Leadership

Michelle Jolly — Executive Director & Co-founder (2005–2009)
Lauren Dragicevich — Managing Director (2009–2013)
Eva Angeloff — Managing Director (2013–2018)
Napoleon Gladney — Executive Director (2019–2025)

We are profoundly grateful to all who have left their fingerprints on the organization. This work would not have been possible without the support of our board members, donors, producers, presenters, community partners, volunteers, students, audiences, friends, and family — all who believed in this work. You made it possible.

While LACDC as an organization is closing, the values we cultivated continue forward through the relationships formed here and in all of you.

To anyone considering starting a company or pursuing a dream project — do it. Start now. Don’t wait for the opportunity; be the opportunity. We need your voice and creative work more than ever.

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey.

L.A. Contemporary Dance
(2005–2025)