Nelly van Bommel
(Lecturer, Administrative Assistant)

Nelly van Bommel was born and raised in France by Dutch parents. She trained at the Centre Chorégraphique National de Nantes (CCNN) with Claude Brumachon, as well as at the Centre National de la Danse in Paris (CND). From 1997 to 2002 she performed throughout Europe and North Africa with French choreographer Claudine Peny. In addition to her performing career, Ms. van Bommel also attended Université de Bourgogne and Université de Paris 8 and graduated with an MA in Performing Arts Aesthetics and an MA in Modern Literature. In January 2002, she moved to NYC thanks to a fellowship from the Conseil Régional d'Ile de France. In 2004, she was awarded the Outstanding MFA Award upon graduation from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. Mrs. Van Bommel is also an alumna of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival where she worked with choreographer Susan Marshall during summer 2005. She founded her company NØA DANCE, a contemporary dance project based in New York City in 2003. Since then, her work has been presented by major festivals and venues throughout New England, including danspace, Dance Theater Workshop, The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Joyce SoHo, P.S. 122, and The Duke on 42nd Street (International Dance Festival) to name a few. "Ms. van Bommel has talent, a sense of passion and intensity...and a quirky sense of humor" John Rockwell, The New York Times, February 2006. Ms. van Bommel is also a co-founder of the REVERB Dance Festival, a yearly event at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in NYC. In March 2007, Ms. van Bommel won first prize at the 2nd “Genesis” International Choreographic Competition organized by the Milwaukee Ballet. Judges were Wendy Perron (Dance Magazine), Bruce Marks (Artistic Director Orlando Ballet), Martin Fredmann (Director of Japan Grand Prix), Sid Smith (Chicago Tribune Arts Critic), Gerard Charles (Artistic Director Ballet Met, Columbus) and Claire Bataille (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago).She has been commissioned to create a new piece for the company, to be premiered in March 2008. She was also a finalist at the A.W.A.R.D Show on May 20, 2007 at Joyce SoHo.