Dreams rarely follow a straight path. For French choreographer Faustine Lavie, each pivot and detour has become an essential brushstroke in her artistic canvas. Her journey from the pristine halls of the Paris Opera Ballet School to the gritty energy of NYC’s contemporary dance scene showcases not just talent, but the kind of raw determination that transforms setbacks into stepping stones.
Since launching Faustine Lavie Dance Project (FLDP) in 2020, Lavie has emerged as an innovative voice in the industry, turning what others might view as obstacles into creative fuel for her artistic vision.
It all began in her hometown of Toulon, France, where little Lavie first stepped into a ballet studio at age three. “I fell in love with it immediately and told my parents I wanted to become a professional dancer when I was 7 years old,” she reminisces with a smile. “It’s been a passion my entire life.” That early spark led her to the hallowed halls of the École du Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris by age ten—a milestone that would shape her future in unexpected ways.
The teenage years brought challenges that many young dancers face. Yet when confronted with body type concerns, Lavie didn’t let go of her dreams—she reimagined them. “I first transitioned from ballet to contemporary dance because of my body type, and even though I didn’t like it so much at first, I actually fell in love with it eventually maybe more than with ballet,” she reflects thoughtfully. “I think doing only one style of dance (ballet) would make me feel restricted now, so everything happens for a reason.”
This adaptability would serve her well in 2015—the year Lavie took what she calls her “big scary step.” With nothing but determination in her suitcase, she moved to New York City. “When I moved to NY, I had never been in the US before, and I have no family and had no friends there, so it was a bit scary,” she shares candidly. “But I have the career I have now because I took this big scary step, also thanks to the amazing support of my family, specifically my parents and my grandma, who have always been there for me and pushing me to reach my best.”
That bold move has paid off. Today, Lavie’s performance schedule reads like a who’s who of NYC’s contemporary dance scene. Her impressive roster includes current roles with The DynamitExperience, sarAika Movement Collective, and Six Degrees Dance, building on her previous work with iKADA Contemporary Dance Company, LaneCoArts, and Keiko Fujii Dance Company. She brings to life works by renowned choreographers including Darrell Grand Moultrie, Manuel Vignoulle, and Clifton Brown, while her ongoing collaboration with visual artist Reza Farkhondeh adds yet another dimension to her artistic repertoire.
The founding of FLDP in 2020 marked a natural progression in her artistic journey. Speaking about wearing the dual hats of choreographer and company director, Lavie’s eyes light up: “As a choreographer and director of my own company, even though I’m not on stage myself, I feel very proud because the dancers perform my creation, and everything comes from my ideas, from choreography to lighting and costume.” The transition from performer to creator brings different rewards. While dancing offers the thrill of a standing ovation, Lavie finds unique satisfaction in seeing her visions come to life through others—from managing dancers and advertising shows to witnessing a successful, sold-out performance of her own choreography.
This pride in creative ownership shines through in her artistic statement: “My art speaks to the human experience, and investigates how we can dynamically and positively shape our world. Drawing from my narrative as an immigrant female artist, I create dances which converse with all, offering different lenses to see ourselves, our histories, and our ideas represented.”
FLDP quickly gained momentum, performing at numerous acclaimed venues across the NYC-Tri-State area. The company’s first work, “Outburst” (2020), has graced stages at the Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers’ InHale Performance Series in Philadelphia, Uptown Rising at Bridge For Dance, KoDaFe at the KnJ Theater at Peridance Center, Synergy II at Ballet Arts, Steps Performance Lab, Hartford Dance Festival, and WAXworks at Triskelion Arts.
The past year has marked significant milestones in Lavie’s career. She completed the 2023-2024 University Settlement Artist-in-Residence program, which culminated in the premiere of “Unspoken Voices” in June 2024. She then stepped into the role of Guest Choreographer for One Day Dance, creating “Bliss,” an evocative trio piece that showcases her maturing choreographic voice. Adding another dimension to her artistic pursuits, Lavie embraced The Hustle, a Latin dance born in 1970s New York during the disco era. Her venture into competitive Hustle dancing in 2024 yielded several titles, proving her versatility extends beyond contemporary dance.
Follow Lavie’s journey on Instagram or keep up with FLDP’s latest projects through their company Instagram. For more information, visit Lavie’s personal website at faustinelavie.com or FLDP’s website at faustinelaviedanceproject.com. The company’s commitment to accessibility shines through their open classes and workshops, while their mission to “create and present dynamic, humanistic contemporary dance works” continues to resonate with diverse audiences.
Through it all, Lavie’s fascination with human connection remains central to her work. “I am particularly fascinated by partnering, which remains a primary influence in my work,” she notes, explaining how her unique style blends elements from ballet, ballroom, contemporary, modern, and social dance.
This dedication to artistic growth culminated last October in FLDP’s first evening-length repertory performance at the TADA! Youth Theater. The program featured “Outburst,” alongside the premiere of “Banned” and a poignant restaging of Lavie’s solo piece “Memoirs From Another Life.” As the company continues to perform throughout the NYC-Tri-State area, they’re proving that contemporary dance can be both accessible and artistically challenging.
Perhaps the most powerful choreography isn’t found in the precision of a ballet sequence or the flow of contemporary movement, but in the courage to keep dancing through life’s transitions. Lavie’s evolving artistry—from those first determined steps in Toulon to her bold creative vision in New York—proves that when passion meets perseverance, the stage becomes limitless.
