About Dance Is Life
Our Story…
Photo by J Taylor Studios
Created in response to the need for human connection during the pandemic, Dance Is Life started by Natasha Diggs and Abdiel with a Valentine’s Day online stream. A collaboration between Soul In The Horn’s “Global Vibrations” and Abdiel's “#HustleMondayDisco,” the first Dance Is Life took place on February 14, 2021 with a virtual interview, dance lesson, and dance party. Natasha and Abdiel chatted about Latin Hustle—the gender neutral partner dance born in the South Bronx in the 1970s—with viewers joining in from all over the world to dance together in the “zoom room.”
In Summer of 2021, Dance Is Life evolved into an in-person party at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, inspired by outdoor socials of 1970s NYC, where dancers and skaters gathered in public spaces.
By 2023, Dance Is Life expanded to the Naumberg Bandshell, Hudson River Park’s Pier 76, and hosted pop-up events at the Guggenheim with Works & Process, and the Asbury Park Carousel building with Asbury Park Dance Festival and North to Shore Festival. We look forward to more partnerships and collaborations in 2024 and beyond!
Photo by D.G.Noble
CO-FOUNDER + DJ
Natasha Diggs
Co-founder of Dance Is Life, Natasha Diggs is one of the most versatile and well respected DJs in the world. That is exactly where you’ll find her, from festivals in Ibiza to intimate gatherings in Brasil. Natasha is also the co-founder and resident DJ for Soul in the Horn, a NYC dance party turned global movement. What began as a deep love for music and collecting records in a teenage bedroom, evolved into a life purpose of sharing vibrations, uplifting a community and liberating dance floors around the world.
Natasha’s sets dip into Disco, House, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop, Latin, Afro-Brazilian, Reggae, Rock, Disco and beyond. Dubbed the “Queen of Diggin” and “The 45 Queen,” Natasha is known for rocking parties with her signature 45 sets. She has worked with music icons Quincy Jones, Q-Tip, and David Byrne, toured with Grammy award-winning artist Lauryn Hill, played for Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Damian Marley, and alongside countless others, including Erykah Badu. While touring internationally, Natasha has performed everywhere from Wembley Arena in London to the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Natasha is currently working on new music, and producing it from wherever she happens to be in the world. In 2023, Natasha started bringing Abdiel to dance during her sets and share Latin Hustle with the world. Earlier that same summer, Natasha was honored as a Grand Marshall in the NYC Dance Parade, complete with a float of dancers strutting down 6th avenue in the pouring rain. Fortunately, rain dances are one of Natasha’s many specialties.
Photo by David D.G.Noble
CO-FOUNDER + DANCER
Abdiel
Abdiel (they/them) is a Hustle dance champion, educator, and community organizer dedicated to the cultural preservation and creative expansion of the New York Latin Hustle partner dance style. As co-founder of Dance Is Life, Abdiel creates space to facilitate human connection, communal healing, and celebration, while revitalizing cultural historical sites where Latin Hustle has been traditionally danced.
As a spirit of light, love, and joy, Abdiel champions freedom as an ever-changing process inspiring and encouraging others to find the spark within and connect to their own inherent divinity as a pathway to self liberation. As an artist whose primary expressive medium is dance, Abdiel uses movement to access the wordless place of play where embodied practice acts as a vital, transformational force for healing and connection.
In 2019, Abdiel and their dance partner, Kristine Bendul, made history becoming the world’s first couple to compete as gender neutral in the Professional American Rhythm division of DanceSport ballroom competition. Abdiel has taught their gender-neutral approach to partner dance at the Juilliard School, Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Washington, University of California Irvine, and currently as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Scripps College. Their professional competitive dance awards includes Pro Disco America Champion, Pro Same-Sex Smooth Ballroom Champion, Pro Regional World Latin Dance Cup Salsa On 1 Champion. They are also a former Fulbright Specialist with the US Dept. of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and former Principal dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Dance Is Life is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.
Accessibility Partnership with Unique Movers Dance
Unique Movers is a nonprofit that uses a positive reinforcement approach to teach dance and movement skills to children and young adults of all ages and abilities. The mission is to spread the love of dance to those with developmental, physical, or behavioral difficulties in a more relaxed and inclusive dance environment. Unique Movers brings inclusive dance events and workshops to the Tri-state area, including New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and the Philadelphia area. Learn more at www.uniquemoversdance.com.
CONTACT
Photo by David D.G.Noble