About

Based in Alameda, California, Tara Pilbrow Dance produces live performance and film, and curates community events with the intention of weaving dance into the fabric of her community. Tara Pilbrow Dance is fiscally sponsored project of West End Arts District.

Born in Hong Kong in 1979, Tara studied dance at Laban Centre before going to Oxford to complete a degree in Chinese Studies. While in China for her degree course, Tara studied with some of Asia's leading dance companies: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Beijing Modern Dance Company and CCDC, Hong Kong.

On her return to Oxford she joined Biserk Dance Company with whom she continued to perform for five years. On leaving Oxford Tara spent four months in New York studying at Dance Space Center. She then settled in Paris where she lived for ten years, working with a number of dance companies (including Cie Jacky Auvray, Cie Longuelouve, Prisme International, Cie Gilschamber, Cie Les Orpailleurs) as well as creating her own work.

She founded Tara Pilbrow Dance on her return to the UK in 2011 and created Entangled, Inflanla, Waltzing Words and 2+1.

Tara moved to the Bay Area in January 2017, making her home in Alameda. In 2018 she joined the board of Alameda nonprofit West End Arts District. She initiated the Animate Alameda Project with the aim of proliferating and promoting dance performance in Alameda.Two years later she accepted a role as executive director, expanding and diversifying the organization. WEAD produces free community dance and music events, visual arts projects, and provides financial support to local artists.​

Current Collaborators

Performers

Julie Crothers

Hannah Westbrook

Colin Epstein

Gabriella Wei

Music

Ben Juodvalkis

Video and Photography

Maurice Ramirez

Photography

David DeSilva

Dramaturgy

Jeff Raz

Past Collaborators

Performers

Amir Giles

Stacey Yuen

Becky Robinson-Leviton

Music

Giles Thomas

Heather Love

Graphic Design

Linda Pontoreiro

Photography

Lidia Crisafulli

Lighting

Maxx Kurzunski

Prema Metha

Curation | Creating Opportunities

Animate Dance Festival 2018 In order of appearance: little seismic dance company, Lizz Roman & Dancers, Megan Lowe Dance, Aviva Rose-Williams, Shawl Anderson Youth Ensemble, The Sproul Stompers, Str8tjacket, ROCO Body Language, AHS 3D, Batala San Francisco
Creating space for Bay Area dance companies to share their work in Alameda and for local youth to perform alongside, and learn from professional artists in our community.

Previous events: Animate Dance Festival (2018), Waterfront Park Launch Fest (2022)

Community Partners:
West End Arts District, West Alameda Business Association, Alameda Ballet Academy, Bay Area Music Project, Encinal High School, Alameda High School, Destiny Arts Center
Contact at contact@tarapilbrow.com