Media, Reviews, Resources
NYFW project featured on New York One
Leighann Kowalsky collaborated with Auguste Dubois as part of NYFW’s STYLEPOINTE project, where choreographers and designers work together to bring collections other life through creative movement. Dubois’ line, Silicon Lung, featured carefully knit pieces that created interest for choreographic choice, and the themes of AI and future paved way for dramatic and athletic dance and aerial interplay. Kathy Kearns of third law created the sound scape for the work. The event, co-produced by Sangeeta Yesley and Mariana Leung, occurred at Dixon Place, hosted by Matt Roper.
Released September 13th, 2026
StylePointe Nouvelle Focuses on Designs That Move, at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027
What Designers Learn When Clothes Have to Dance by Mariana Leung, Threads Magazine, September 2026
”For choreographer Leighann Kowalsky, the unconventional shapes informed how the dancers would or could move. The garment restrictions inspired creative solutions. She worked with composer Kathy Kearns to incorporate the sounds of industrial sewing machines into the score, highlighting the garments’ workmanship.”
Released September 10th, 2026
Kowalsky sits as Panelist at Virtual Summit for National Dance Educator’s Organization
Kowalsky will be a panelist as part of a virtual summit, where she’ll contribute her experience in co-founding the Student Dance Summit. The event was born out of a pursuit to nurture the next generation of dancers and dance makers by expanding dance education and performance opportunities for children and teens in the Hudson Valley. The Student Dance Summit, a full day of dance for children and teens ages 8-18 , includes master classes, a community dance making experience, a performance of work by student choreographers, and a talk-back with the artists. Kowalsky pioneered the mentorship curriculum for the student choreographers.
Released June 22, 2026
NYC Village Halloween Parade Documentary
Kowalsky has choreographed the Grand Marshal float for various iterations of the NYC Halloween Parade.
This particular documentary followed the (2024) 51st NYC Halloween Parade, with Grand Marshal André de Shields. The central theme was “MEOWWWW”, and Kowalsky’s job was to organize over 80 “Childless Cat Ladies” for One Million audience members watching 73,000 participants in the processional. Leighann is featured near minute 17:00!
Released October 27th, 2025
Gaudanse, Inc.’s ‘nanibu’ premieres in New Orleans, by Louisiana Weekly
Kowalsky photographed for Gaudanse while the company was in residency at Kaatsbaan in Tivoli. The images received national recognition ahead of the nanibu premiere and performance at the Marigny Opera in April, 2025.
The production stars Imani Gaudin, a New Orleans native and the founding artistic director of gaudanse (Gaudanse, Inc.), a nonprofit organization founded in 2021 that uplifts local artists through multidisciplinary movement and dance. Her performance partner, Christian Warner, a fellow gaudanse performer, sound designer and New York-based interdisciplinary artist, also stars in the production. Together, their experiences and bodies intertwine to tell the story of the fictional kingdom of Nagaua, a place ruled by love and peace but where prosperity comes at a cost. The main character, Nanibu, must face answering the calls of duty and destiny by ascending the throne while contending with her own grief and mourning.
Released April, 2025