From Switzerland and of Haitian origin, Tatiana is a professional dancer, dance instructor, dance consultant, choreographer, organizer, curator, Lecturer with a Master degree as adult educator and a Bachelor in Psychology (University of Geneva). Tatiana won several competitions and is regularly invited to give workshops and judge competitions in several countries such as: Japan, Peru, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, France, Canada, Austria, Switzerland and USA.
Very passionate and very involved in the growth of the swiss hip-hop scene, she has been teaching and mentoring since 2005, had her own dance school “Le Centre Hip-Hop”, is part of a non-profit promoting the street, club dance and culture called “JAIA” since 2012. She was one of the four founders of the first Hip-Hop dance company in Geneva called “Continuum”.
She developed her own teaching method called “Technique Within Your Groove” method. She taught at Peridance, Broadway Dance Center and was a former teacher at EXPG NYC (2016-2020). As a guest artist (dance instructor and lecturer) and adjunct professor she taught in universities such as Harvard University, Dartmouth University, the American University, the Connecticut College, Hunter College, the five colleges. Tatiana is adjunct professor at Springfield College and is a member of the 92NY’s faculty since 2022.
She is the director and choreographer of Passion Fruit Dance Company, a street dance theater and educational company, which she founded in 2016. The company made its debut through Kenny Clutch Festival (Philadelphia) and Pepatián organization (New York). Through its performances, workshops, lectures, educational programs called “Passion Fruit Seeds”, and cultural event called “Les 5 Sens”, the company’s mission is: To promote the authenticity of street, clubbing dance styles and cultures; To highlight its black heritage and contribution to society; To explore the human experience, address social issues such as racism; and to inspire young artists to share their voices. She performed with her company in places such as at The Apollo Theater, Summerstage, Jacob’s Pillow, the New Victory Theater, BAAD!Theater, Pregones theater, Ladies of Hip-Hop festival, Joe’s Pub, 92NY, the Guggenheim, Bridge Street Theater, the Lincoln Center, Mass Moca, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn and abroad (Canada and Switzerland).
Tatiana was selected as one of Dance Magazine’s 2020 “25 to Watch”, featured in the New Yorker magazine for the “Goings on about town” in 2021, Harper’s Bazaar in 2021, was awarded by the Vilcek Foundation Prizes for Creative Promise in Dance 2022 and is the 2022 juried Bessie award winner.
She had the chance to perform at the Madison Square garden and the Wells Fargo Center for the rock band Arcade Fire, In “Electrogynous” by Sabela Grimes at Columbia University. In “Where Love lies follow”, a play written by Nichi Douglas , as a dance consultant for the premiere at The Shed, then as a dancer at the Martin E. Segal Theater for the “Prelude” festival (NYC), at the Public Theater for the “Under the Radar” festival (NYC), at the New York Library with “The Black Dancing Bodies” (LOHH) project. She also did a lecture-demonstration at “Studio 5” and did a seminar for the “Street Dance Ambassadors Program” at New York City Center.
Tatiana was one of the core dancers of Rennie Harris Puremovement (2016-2021); a core member of LayeRhythm Experiment Company (2019-2022). She is also part of the Nefer Global Movement collective since 2018.
tatiana.desardouin@gmail.com
IG: @tatianadesardouin / @pfdancecompany
FB: Passion Fruit Dance Company
Class: Hip-Hop & Housedance, Passion Fruit Seeds Repertory
Photo by Lauriane Ogay