Abdiel Jacobsen,

Abdiel (they/them) is a Hustle dance champion, educator, and community organizer dedicated to the cultural preservation and creative expansion of the New York Latin Hustle partner dance style. As co-founder of "Dance is Life"--a communitarian free public dance party event--Abdiel creates space to facilitate human connection, communal healing, and celebration, while revitalizing cultural historical sites where Latin Hustle has been traditionally danced. Abdiel has taught their gender-neutral approach to partner dance at the Juilliard School, Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Washington, University of California Irvine, and others. They are also a former: Mellon Foundation Humanities in Place grant recipient; Fulbright Specialist with the US Dept. of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; Principal dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company.