Gaudanse
gaudanse (Gaudanse, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit interdisciplinary dance production organization rooted between New York, NY and New Orleans, LA. Founded by Imani Gaudin in 2020, our collective of multidisciplinary movement artists creates immersive, whimsical worlds that weave together elements of dance, performance art, music, film, culinary arts, and visual arts. Through accessible programs, mentorship, workshops, and performances, Gaudanse empowers early-career artists—particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities—to cultivate resilience, creativity, and connection. Our work is grounded in accessible, sustainable, wellness-centered creative practices that support personal and professional growth.
We acknowledge and honor that we live and function on the land of the Munsee Lenape, Canarsie, Wappinger, Houma, and Choctaw peoples.
Photo by Leighann Kowalsky
Imani Gaudin
Our Founding Artistic Director
Imani Gaudin is a whimsical New Orleans born interdisciplinary dance and performing artist based between New Orleans, LA and New York, NY. She is the founder of gaudanse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding accessibility, sustainability, and wellness-based arts practices for underserved communities of performing artist. As a performer, she currently is a movement artist with Shamel Pitts’s TRIBE. Her work has been commissioned by Baryshnikov Arts, Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance, and Churchtown Dairy. Additionally, her work has received support from the New York State Council on the Arts, National Performance Network, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, and New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation. Imani has been a resident artist at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, New Dance Alliance, Baryshnikov Arts, BAAD! through Pepatián’s Dancing Futures Residency, and the Djerassi Resident Artist Program. In 2025, she was named a Gambit 40 under 40 Honoree, premiered her first self-produced evening length work nanibu, and made her international debut with her work mamihlapinatapai, in Paris, France. In 2026, Imani premiered three works (in progress) at BAAD!’s BAAD!Ass Women Compilation, 92NY’s Future Dance Festival, Pillow Pride at Jacob’s Pillow in collaboration with BAAD!, and Beyond the Black Box’s Black Black Black Week at TRISKELION ARTS that will culminate into a triptych series. The series includes her solo works: bury me in new orleans, new york, please, and What would the world do without flowers…?.