About
Mission & History
Mission
The mission of Sarasota Contemporary Dance is to bring cutting edge dance of the highest caliber to the community through performance, education, and collaboration.
Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD) is a professional dance company that has been enriching the community through innovative performance, education, and collaboration for more than 20 years. Located in the heart of Sarasota’s historic Rosemary District, SCD shares its Home Studio with the public through dynamic artistic, educational, and performance programming.
The 2026–2027 season, Raíces y Vuelos (Roots & Flights), celebrates the connections between where we come from and where we are headed. This inspiring 21st season features an exciting lineup of mainstage productions, more than 25 intimate In-Studio performances, and over 20 weekly dance classes offered year-round for all ages and experience levels.
Housed in a state-of-the-art, 1,000+ square foot studio and performance venue, SCD continues to serve as a hub for choreographers, a training ground for dancers, and a welcoming home where artists and audiences alike can discover the transformative power and joy of dance.
History
Founded on a shared vision of collaboration, creativity, and celebrating life through movement, Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD) traces its roots to the partnership between Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Rachael Inman, who began working together while pursuing graduate studies at Florida State University in 2000. Together they launched the FSUdanceSARASOTA initiative, and in 2002 founded Fuzión Dance, Sarasota’s first professional contemporary dance company. In 2006, the organization became the nonprofit Fuzión Dance Artists, and after a decade of growth and artistic excellence under the leadership of Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, it evolved into Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
Today, SCD has become a vibrant cultural institution, recognized for creating bold, thought-provoking contemporary dance while cultivating meaningful connections throughout the community. The company has performed on prestigious stages including the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance, the John F. Kennedy Center, the Dennis C. Moss Theater, the Merce Cunningham Studio Theatre, and the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Under the artistic direction of Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, SCD presents a compelling repertoire of original works alongside commissions and collaborations with nationally recognized choreographers, including Adele Myers, Lisa del Rosario, Alyson Dolan, Ana Maria Alvarez, Melissa Cobblah Gutierrez, Michael Foley, Vincent Hardy, Gerri Houlihan, Jennifer Archibald, and Crystal Brown. Recent artistic milestones include the acclaimed collaborations SCD + The Barker Project, performances with ensembleNEWSRQ and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, the expanded production of Jehanne with composer Mark Dancigers, and the regional tour of The Cuban Project.
Now entering its 21st season, Raíces y Vuelos (Roots & Flights), Sarasota Contemporary Dance embraces a future rooted in artistic excellence, community partnership, and organizational sustainability. As the company builds upon more than two decades of innovation, SCD is investing in the next generation of artists, expanding educational opportunities, deepening community engagement, and strengthening the infrastructure that will ensure its impact for years to come. Guided by a commitment to legacy and long-term sustainability, SCD continues to create transformative experiences that inspire audiences, empower artists, and celebrate the enduring power of contemporary dance.