South Jersey

VelaDance

Light In The Darkness

VelaDance dancers performing contemporary and modern dance — a professional South Jersey contemporary dance company

Illuminate
Through Dance

VelaDance is a professional contemporary and modern dance company based in South Jersey. Rooted in the lineage of American modern and concert dance, we create repertory work that is technically rigorous, emotionally honest, and unmistakably human.

Our work lives in the space between shadow and light — sorrow and breakthrough, struggle and grace — pursued with an unwavering commitment to excellence, beauty, and truth. Everything we make rises from a single conviction: "And the darkness could not overcome the Light."

With both professional and pre-professional dancers sharing the stage, VelaDance creates movement that wrestles with sorrow, struggle, beauty, sacrifice, and renewal — a professional concert dance company enriching the South Jersey arts community through disciplined artistry and meaningful storytelling.

More Than Movement

We believe dance has the power to heal, unite, and inspire. Everything we create is rooted in that conviction.

01

Technique

Rooted in contemporary and modern dance, our artists train with rigorous discipline — developing a movement vocabulary that is both expressive and deeply skilled. Excellence is the foundation everything else is built on.

02

Educate

We believe access to the arts changes lives. VelaDance is committed to bringing dance education into South Jersey schools and community spaces — planting seeds that grow far beyond the stage.

03

Touch Hearts

Every performance we give is an invitation — to feel something real, to be seen, to encounter beauty in unexpected places. We create work that stays with people long after the lights go down.

04

Serve Community

South Jersey is home, and we take that seriously. We partner with schools, local organizations, and cultural institutions to use the art of dance as a bridge — bringing people together and making concert dance accessible across our community.

Our Team

Deivin Velasquez — founder and artistic director of VelaDance, a South Jersey contemporary dance company

[ Photo ]

Founder & Artistic Director

Deivin Velasquez

Honduran-born and raised in Pleasantville, NJ, Deivin is a dancer, choreographer, and emerging artistic leader. A graduate of ACIT's Performing Arts Academy and Stockton University (B.A. Dance Studio Operations), he trained with Zion Dance Project in Dallas, TX under artistic director Vincent Hardy, making his choreographic debut at their 2024 Summer Series. He founded VelaDance to serve his community through disciplined artistry and purposeful storytelling.

Emily Perkins — founding artist and choreographer at VelaDance, a New Jersey contemporary dance company

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Founding Artist & Choreographer

Emily Perkins

A New Jersey–born dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Emily discovered dance at 12 and trained at Stockton University in ballet, jazz, modern, improvisation, pedagogy, and kinesiology. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts (Health & Wellness / Dance) from Thomas Edison State University. In summer 2025 she performed with Zion Dance Project in Dallas, TX. Emily leads a community dance program and is a founding creative voice at VelaDance.

Saita Westervelt — founding artist and choreographer at VelaDance, a South Jersey contemporary dance company

[ Photo ]

Founding Artist & Choreographer

Saita Westervelt

South Jersey–based dancer, teacher, and choreographer trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, acro, and tap. A Stockton University alumna, her performance credits include Koresh's Artistic Showcase (2023), Temple University, and Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers' InHale Performance Series (2025). Through VelaDance, Saita continues to share her artistry and passion for using movement to bring Light into a dark world.

Upcoming Events

All Events
May
31

IGNITE Past

VelaDance Inaugural Concert  ·  South Jersey  ·  Presented by Luz Art International Fund

Debut Concert Contemporary Modern Contemporary
Sold Out
Aug
15–16

Guest Performance — Wild 4 Jesus Conference

Luz Art International Fund  ·  South Jersey

Conference Contemporary Guest Performance
Get Tickets
Winter
TBD

Winter Concert

VelaDance  ·  South Jersey  ·  Date Announced Soon

Concert Contemporary Original Works
Stay Notified
Coming Soon

VelaDance
Training Company

A dedicated training ground for the next generation of artists. VelaDance Training Company is built for pre-professional dancers ready to bridge the gap between student and professional — where rigorous technique meets artistry, mentorship, and real performance experience.

We are building something intentional. Something worthy of the dancers who dream of more. Details coming soon.

Get Notified Stay in the loop

Press & Media

VelaDance welcomes media inquiries, feature requests, photography, and editorial coverage. For high-resolution images, artist bios, and press materials, please reach out directly.

Contact
contact@veladance.com
Founded
2026 · South Jersey
Instagram
@veladance

Let's Connect

Whether you're looking to book VelaDance for an event, explore sponsorship, or simply learn more about our work — we'd love to hear from you. Darkness never has the final word.

Location
South Jersey
Email
contact@veladance.com
Website
www.veladance.com