NORWICH – The Chenango Arts Council, Norwich, will present the Philadelphia-based Koresh Dance Company on Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m.

Koresh Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Israeli-born choreographer and artistic director Ronen (Roni) Koresh. Known for its engaging performances and technically superb dancers, the company’s critically acclaimed work continues to attract increasing audiences. With bi-annual seasons in Philadelphia and performances around the country, Koresh has received much local and national recognition. The company has also been hailed internationally, touring to destinations including Spain, Turkey, Israel, South Korea, Mexico and Guatemala. Over the years, Roni has developed a vast repertoire of work that ranges from explosive and passionate, to intimate and restrained. The company also presents work by guest choreographers including Ohad Naharin, Robert Battle, Donald Byrd, Itzik Galili and Paul Selwyn Norton.

In addition to performance and instruction, Koresh Dance Company is equally committed to community building and outreach. While on tour, the company provides diverse outreach offerings that connect with dancers and non-dancers alike. Outreach activities in Norwich will include a master class for dancers from the Amber Perkins School of the Arts and a presentation and discussion by Artistic Director Ronen Koresh at the Norwich Jewish Center on Friday, April 12. The presentation at the Jewish Center will focus on Ronen Koresh’s Israeli roots and how they have influenced his choreography as well as showing video from recent collaborations between KDC and Israeli artists Ohad Naharin and Itzik Galili. Ronen will discuss his choice to leave Israel and the current state of the arts in Israel.

Following the performance on Saturday, April 13, Ronen Koresh and the dancers will provide a post performance discussion and lead a question and answer session analyzing the performance.

This project is partially sponsored by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. This tour of Koresh Dance Company is also made possible by a grant from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for the performance range in price from $18 to $22.50. Youth 18 and under are $10. Discounts are available for seniors and members of the Arts Council. To purchase tickets, go to www.chenangoarts.org or call 336-ARTS(2787). The Friday night presentation at the Norwich Jewish Center is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Call 336-2787 by April 8.