GENTRY ISAIAH GEORGE

Co-Founder, Artistic Director

Gentry George is an acclaimed choreographer, educator, and performer dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity through dance. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, he trained at New World School of the Arts before earning his degree from The Juilliard School. His professional dance career includes performing with Ailey II and Dance Theatre of Harlem, experiences that shaped his commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.

In 2013, Gentry founded Zest Collective, a multidisciplinary dance company that merges movement, music, and visual art. Under his leadership, Zest Collective has presented original works that explore themes of identity, history, and human connection. His choreography is known for its dynamic physicality, emotional depth, and fusion of classical and contemporary styles, often drawing inspiration from the musical traditions and cultural histories of the Americas.

As an educator, Gentry has dedicated himself to mentoring the next generation of dancers. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Dance at New World School of the Arts, where he teaches Horton, Ballet, and Composition, nurturing young artists with a strong technical foundation and a sense of artistic individuality. He also leads dance programs at the Historic African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, where he was once a student, coming full circle as both an instructor and inspiration for young talent.

Gentry’s passion for community engagement is evident in his Roots & Rhythms initiative, which he launched in 2022. This educational dance program, developed in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Arts & Education Collective, brings masterclasses, performances, and talk-back conversations to schools throughout Florida, exposing students to the transformative power of dance while connecting artistic expression to cultural history.

His commitment to arts education extends to his work as a choreographer for Camp Arsht at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, where he develops and stages original works for youth performers. His choreography has also been presented at the Arsht Center through programs such as Rising Stars and Piano Slam, highlighting his continued engagement with Miami’s leading cultural institutions.

Gentry’s artistic research has also been shaped by his fellowship with AIRIE, where the landscapes and histories of the Everglades inspired new creative explorations connecting environment, heritage, and movement.

His work has been supported by organizations including Miami Light Project, Miami Theater Center, and Hued Songs. In 2023, he received a commission from Miami Light Project for the Here & Now festival, where he premiered Afro Blue, a work celebrating the music of Abbey Lincoln and Mongo Santamaria. His choreography, The Fountain, commissioned by the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center for the Salon Series, draws inspiration from Negro spirituals and the cultural history of Overtown, incorporating female operatic voices in a powerful interdisciplinary performance.

In February 2026, Zest Collective became the first dance company to premiere the Dance in the Gardens series at the Pinecrest Gardens Banyan Bowl. The program, Roots of Jazz: Icons in Motion, celebrated Black History Month and honored the profound contributions of jazz artists to American culture through dance.

Gentry’s artistic vision extends beyond the stage—he is a passionate advocate for accessibility in the arts, ensuring that diverse communities have opportunities to engage with and experience dance. His mission is to create work that resonates with audiences, fosters collaboration, and expands the reach of dance as a storytelling medium.

With a deep love for music, color, and movement, Gentry continues to push the boundaries of contemporary ballet and modern dance. Whether through performance, education, or outreach, he remains committed to using dance as a vehicle for cultural expression, empowerment, and joy.