Ascending Grace
Six Distinctive Works. One Stage. One Transformative Experience.
October 9 & 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
California Theatre | San Jose
Featuring live orchestration by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra
An Evening of Dance, Music and Human Connection
sjDANCEco presents Ascending Grace, an evocative evening of classical and contemporary modern dance featuring six distinctive choreographic works.
Through stories of connection, resilience, memory, trust, joy and the enduring power of the human spirit, sjDANCEco’s dancers invite audiences into six fully embodied worlds—each shaped by a different choreographic voice.
The works are strikingly different in their movement languages, yet together they create a powerful portrait of what it means to be human.
“These six works couldn't be more different in their movement languages, but each one asks us to look at how we connect—with ourselves, with one another, and with the world around us.”
— Maria Basile, Artistic Director
The 2026 Program
Vivace
Choreography by Gary Masters
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Dynamic, joyful and deeply alive, Vivace translates Bach’s intricate musical architecture into an exhilarating celebration of inner joy. Originally created in 2006, the work has been re-envisioned for 2026 and is performed in honor of dance artist, mentor, teacher and friend Nadine Ravine.
Glimmers Intertwined
Choreography by Hsiang Hsiu
Music by Antonio Vivaldi
Two bodies cross paths—negotiating space, sharing breath and generating momentum. Glimmers Intertwined explores how even fleeting moments of connection can leave lasting impressions upon the body’s memory.
Aspirations
Choreography by Fred Mathews
Music by Antonio Vivaldi
Humorous, compelling and unexpectedly poetic, Aspirations explores the human experience of confronting fear. In this re-envisioned solo, humor becomes a doorway into vulnerability, courage and the desire to move beyond our limitations.
Playing Venice
Choreography by Andrew Merrill
Music by Antonio Vivaldi
A group of revelers keeps the party going in a city facing its doom. Suspended between the innocent abandon of the past and the knowledge that all things must eventually end, Playing Venice is a fantasy mirage shaped by celebration, memory and loss.
The Weight Gives Way
Choreography by Nhan Ho
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Through shared weight, physical partnership and the experience of seeing and being seen, the dancers discover that strength is not found in carrying everything alone. Weight becomes movement—and movement becomes a language of trust, support and belonging.
Exurgency
Choreography by Dominic V. Duong
Music by FARBOD | Costuming by Pearl C. Wang
Originally premiered in 2008, Exurgency returns in a transformative revival celebrating kindness, wisdom and generosity. The work honors sjDANCEco founders Fred Mathews, Gary Masters and Maria Basile as the company moves toward its 25th anniversary in 2027.
Dance Brought to Life Through Live Music
Ascending Grace features live orchestration by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra.
From the celebratory spirit of Bach to the emotional landscapes of Beethoven and Vivaldi, movement and music come together to create an immediate, visceral experience—one that can awaken, challenge, connect and transform.
Performance Details
Friday, October 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
California Theatre
345 S. 1st Street
San Jose, California
sjDANCEco is a 501 (c) (3) Non- Profit Organization Tax ID 61-1446985
Thank you to all of our Donors who help keep Modern Dance alive in San Jose! We could not do it without you.