RAISSA SIMPSON is an independent dancer, teacher, choreographer and A.D. of Push Dance Company. Hailed by Dance Spirit Magazine for “Reflective Contemporary Choreography”, Simpson makes vibrant dances embodying socially relevant issues. She is a recipient of the Regional Dance Award, San Jose State Univ.’s Peoples Choice Award, Zellerbach Family Foundation and Theatre Bay Area’s CA$H Grant.  She holds her BFA from State University New York, Purchase (SUNY)- talent-based scholarship, subsequently attending the schools of Dance Theatre of Harlem (NYC), the Paul Taylor School (NYC).

Artistic Director

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she moved with her family at an early age to the Silicon Valley settling in San Jose, California. She complimented her studies of contemporary dance with limitless information on new media & digital technology garnishing collaborations between visual artist/ designer Marlon Sagana Ingram, filmmakers Joie Rey and Elizabeth Mendana, composers Unwoman, Keith Moore and Brandon Lee Daniels.

She has toured and performed as a company member with Robert Moses Kin (2002-2007) and Joanna Haigood’s Zaccho Dance Theatre (2007-Present). Simpson has been on the faculty of SFDC/LINES Ballet, City Dance Studios, Alexi Zubiria’s Western Ballet, Santa Clara Ballet; master teaching includes Berkeley High School, UC Santa Cruz, among others. She has performed in numerous festivals including, Jacob’s Pillow where Village Voice dance critic Deborah Jowitt noted, “Simpson dances big.”

Artist Statement (pdf) artstatement.pdf