Shana Simmons

Shana Simmons is a choreographer, performer, dance educator, and movement artist whose work has been presented nationally and internationally in Pittsburgh, New York City, Chicago, London, and Belgium. A graduate of Point Park University and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, Simmons is the founder and Artistic Director of Shana Simmons Dance (SSD), a Pittsburgh-based contemporary dance company established in 2009.

Simmons’ choreographic practice centers on research-driven, immersive dance theatre and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work explores socially relevant themes through movement, site-specific performance, original composition, and interactive technology, with meaningful connection between performer, audience, and environment at the heart of the creative process. Her current research also examines identity and access within dance, asking who gets to identify, participate, and build a professional life as a dancer.

Simmons’ professional career has included performance and choreographic work in New York City, London, Belgium, and Pittsburgh. She has worked with artists and organizations including Noémie Lafrance, Alexandra Beller, National Dance Institute, Flat Feet Dance Company, and Artmongers, and her work has been presented through festivals and programs including APAP, Three Rivers Arts Festival, New Moves Festival, and the HATCH Series. Her movement background incorporates Graham technique, release-based practices, non-gender-based partnering, and Garuda-informed Pilates and yoga.

Through SSD, Simmons creates professional and emerging-artist opportunities through performance, choreography, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The organization produces NACHMO Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh International Dance Film Festival, Spring MISHMOSH, and educational programming in partnership with HOPE Academy. Her teaching and mentorship draw directly from this professional practice, emphasizing movement research, individual artistic voice, collaborative process, and the development of adaptable dance artists. 

Simmons has been a nominee for the Carol R Brown Award (2016), received Pittsburgh’s Best Dance award (2014, 2015, 2018) and independently teaches within the community as well as Seton Hill University.

Education

• BA Dance, Point Park University, 2003

• MA Choreography, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, 2009

Certifications

• Garuda Matwork + Chair, Pilates/Yoga Certification

Organizations

Founder & Artistic Director, Shana Simmons Dance

Presentations

• Penn State New Kensington, Education Vanguard Conference, Pittsburgh, PA (2023)
• VALEES Conference, Chicago, IL (2018)