Our Story

 

Founder & Artistic Director:

Gentry Isaiah George

Founder Emeritus: Tyler Garacci

Zest Collective was founded on November 2, 2013, by Gentry Isaiah George and Tyler Garacci (Founder Emeritus) to foster collaboration among emerging performing and visual artists in Washington Heights, NYC.

The company premiered on March 13, 2014, at MIST through the Harlem Arts Festival, and has since performed at SummerStage, Wassaic Project, Harlem Stage’s Gatehouse Theater, and more. Following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zest re-emerged in 2022 with a new production of Piano Slam at the Adrienne Arsht Center, presented by Dranoff 2 Piano.

Now based in South Florida, Zest Collective continues to create movement-driven work that celebrates the diversity of our world.

 

Photography by Felix Kunze, Lee Le, Patricia Laine, Eduardo Patino, Scott Shaw, Simon Soong, and David Tufino

Artist Statement

“Dance is my vessel for storytelling—a dynamic language that bridges history, culture, and the human experience. Through my work, I celebrate diversity, amplify Black voices, and create spaces where artistic exchange becomes a catalyst for empowerment.

Music is central to my process. I draw inspiration from the rhythms and histories embedded in traditions such as jazz, spirituals, folk, and Afro-Caribbean forms. My work begins with listening and research, exploring how sound, emotion, and cultural memory can be embodied. In collaboration with dancers, I shape movement that honors individuality while balancing classical technique with contemporary expression.

As a choreographer, educator, and artistic director, my practice is rooted in community and adaptability. Through performance, education, and partnerships, I strive to make dance accessible while celebrating cultural expression and the shared stories that connect us.”

  • Gentry Isaiah George

 

Photo by Roshaknie Hayes

 

What Do We Do?

 

Our dance artists use their bodies as the primary medium of storytelling. Our work is punctuated by poetry and iconic speeches about abandoning fear and emphasizes man's sensitivity to the pangs of life. We hope our movement will encourage people worldwide to translate their dreams into creative, purposeful lives. 

 

Gentry Isaiah George, Deja Darbonne, Diana Figueroa, Kiera O’Rourke, Maryann Arnita Benjamin, and Eleni Gialas

Piano Slam 2022, Presented by Dranoff 2 Piano and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

Our Dream

 

We aim to become a global touring company and open the Zest Collective Emerging Arts Center. Our mission is to celebrate the diversity of our community, inspire the next generation of performing artists, and foster collaborative works between artists and organizations throughout the world.

Nayah Merisier and The Company in ‘The Fountain’

Photo by TCDCX