Our
Mission
Finding Compassion is a dynamic, community-driven dance festival dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of movement while supporting a charity. Through engaging performances we bring together artists and audiences to raise awareness and funds for causes chosen by our choreographers. Our mission is to create a positive, lasting impact by fostering creativity, cultural exchange, and collective action for social good.
About Us
Born during the height of the pandemic, Finding Compassion was founded to help connect movers and creators with causes they are passionate about, The first show featured the works of its founders, Belleza, “Persevereance,” and Shelby Green, “Keppra,” which advocated for covid relief and the epilepsy foundation respectively.
In 2023 and 2024 Finding Compassion acted as a global digital series premiering annually on YouTube. In the fall of 2024, Finding Compassion started making the switch from a digital series to an in-person concert. 7-10 choreographers will be selected early 2025 to perform their work in which they will also promote, support, and uplift a charity close to their heart.
Our Founders
Shelby Green
Shelby Green is a dancer and choreographer from Cincinnati, OH, now based in New York City. They graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Musical Theatre from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, where they also danced with 6 o'Clock Dance Theatre under the direction of Zach Law-Ingram. Shelby has performed works by Martha Graham, Robert Battle, Caleb Teicher, Noa Wertheim, and Avichai Hacham, and previously appeared in Broadway Nights at Habima National Theater while also freelancing as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher in Tel Aviv. They have premiered choreographic works in Dallas, Cincinnati, The Hague, and Tel Aviv, created four dance films, and are the founder of Yaroque Dance Theatre. Shelby loves building a community of compassionate and creative human beings through Finding Compassion alongside their partner and friend, Belleza.
Belleza
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Belleza graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and a BS in Applied Physiology and Health Management from Southern Methodist University. While at SMU, Belleza helped found Finding Compassion, a virtual dance festival focused on philanthropy. Upon graduation, Belleza brought her artistic and professional endeavors to New York City, working as a ModArts Dance Collective company member, a teaching artist with DMF Youth, and a company member with Ballet Nepantla. Finding compassion has given me a new perspective on what it means to be an artist, providing a space where other artists are welcome to advocate for themselves and others is what brings me fulfillment.
Production Manager
Lihi Dor
Lihi Dor is a stage manager, production manager, and emerging choreographer specializing in contemporary and partnering. She has performed with companies, including Linda Diamond Inc. and Bodystories, and collaborated with different choreographers, such as, Alberto Del Saz and David Capps, those experiences inspired her choreographic approach that is rooted in emotional storytelling and physical connection. She is currently pursuing a BA in Dance at Hunter College alongside an Arts Management Certificate, to further developing her artistic vision and production expertise. With three years of experience in dance production, In 2024, Lihi founded Prints Dance Company and recently self-produced her own dance show in January 2026. For the past two years, she was also the Production Manager at Finding Compassion, where she collaborates with the founders and the choreographers to help bring the production to life.
Words From Our Community
“Finding Compassion was such a lovely experience to be a part of! Working alongside my peers to create and collaborate gave us all the opportunity to do what we loved, while also being able to give back to those in need. It is so fulfilling knowing that we are helping raise money for charity organizations through sharing our passion for dance with the world. I cannot wait to see Finding Compassion continue to grow and touch the lives of all who are reached! .”
| Bailey Gioino,
Georgia, Covid Relief Fund
Finding Compassion 2020
| Ryan Jaffe
Indiana, Epilepsy Foundation
Finding Compassion 2024
"The process of Finding Compassion was extremely rewarding for me. The festival brought together so many incredible artists worldwide to champion causes close to their hearts. It created a beautiful environment for connection and allowed us to experience and appreciate not only the work but the artists that created it."
“Finding Compassion allowed me to not only do something I love, but do it for important causes!
the whole experience was so much fun and it was amazing to get another chance to dance for up and coming choreographers in the dance world! .
| Annabelle Daniels,
Tennessee, Epilepsy Foundation
Finding Compassion 2020
| Katie Hopsticker
New York, Dancing Dreams
Finding Compassion 2023
"Finding choreographic opportunities as a young choreographer can be challenging, but Finding Compassion gave me the space to experiment and grow without any pressure or constraints. Working with their team was flexible and a delight, and I was so proud to present a piece alongside such wonderful talent.
Photo: Matthew Bejarano
Photo: Matthew Bejarano
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