Resume
AISAN HOSS, M.F.A
256 Sunset Drive, Hercules, CA 94547 | 510.283.4723 | aisanhoss@gmail.com
Aisan Hoss M.F.A. has over a decade of experience as an accomplished college-level dance instructor, performer, and choreographer with specialization in Western Contemporary dance and Persian traditional and contemporary dance genres. As a performing arts educator, she unites culture with artistic expression to provide students with a unique learning experience built on compassion and trust. Hoss is an empowering instructor who, after overcoming obstacles of teaching underground dance classes in Iran (where dance is officially illegal), draws from her own experiences to inspire and empower students. She has extensive experience building dance programs and is an astute communicator effective in developing syllabi and course expectations.She is a dynamic performer and choreographer who is able to produce impactful shows, exhibitions, and programs that reflect upon culture, current events, and technique. Fluent in Farsi, Azeri, and English.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
College-Level Instruction | Artistic Direction | Contemporary Dance | Team Leadership| Choreography | | Cultural Arts & Expression |
Dance Program Development
TEACHING, COURSE DEVELOPMENT, AND ASSISTANT DIRECTING
2013 - Present
AFSANEH ART & CULTURE SOCIETY, Berkeley, CA
Assistant Artistic Director, Choreographer, Teacher – Ballet Afsaneh
Assistant Artistic Director responsibilities include production of performances, music selection, costume design, and marketing. Acts as consultant to Ballet Afsaneh on Persian culture and for selecting authentic Persian music and venues based on firsthand, native Iranian background. Fundraising has included securing funding from Creative Work Funds for production.
Choreographs dance pieces and brings new dance techniques to Ballet Afsaneh, including Western contemporary and Persian contemporary techniques.
Teaches Western contemporary, Persian contemporary, and traditional Persian dance technique classes to Ballet Afsaneh dancers and to students of the Afsaneh Dance Academy. Classes also include units on Intro to Choreography and Improvisation.
2014
MILLS COLLEGE, Oakland, CA
Persian Dance Instructor/Course Development
Taught Persian contemporary and traditional dance technique to undergraduate dance students as part of the Mills College Dance program curriculum.
Designed the course syllabus, objectives, and requirements.
Course provided an overview of Persian culture and fostered an inclusive class environment for students to voice their concerns and questions about Persian culture.
Choreographed dance pieces for semester-end performances. Created a class format providing students with opportunities to share interpretation of Persian dance into the final choreographies.
2012 - 2013
PRIVATE & GROUP INSTRUCTION, Tehran, Iran
Graham Dance Technique, Ballet, and Dance Composition Instructor
Taught Graham technique, ballet, and dance composition to approximately 100 students over 20 hours per week.
Developed course content.
Marketed and promoted dance classes.
Introduced Western dance techniques and histories to students.
2002 - 2007
NOVIN INSTITUTE, Tehran, Iran
Persian Ballet Dance Instructor
Taught Persian Ballet dance courses to adults 20 hours a week.
Planned and produced dance performances.
Marketed and promoted the dance program and special performances.
Designed and planned curriculum for all levels and populations.
As one of the few dance institutes in Tehran, prepared progressive lesson plans to enhance the experience of program participants.
2002 - 2006
BARAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Tehran, Iran
Creative Dance Instructor
Taught youth classes for students between 3 and 7 years old.
Offered individual coaching to students.
Choreographed dance pieces for the end of year production.
Prepared student reports and met with parents regarding student progress.
Delivered sessions to ensure an exciting variety of creative dance.
CHOREOGRAPHY
2016 Identity Theft (Western Contemporary Dance), SAFEhouse Art, San Francisco, CA
Raghs (Contemporary Persian Dance), Ashkenaz community center, Berkeley, CA
2015 Yiel(D)isinherit (Western Contemporary Dance), Lisser Theatre at Mills College,
Oakland, CA
Del de Del (Contemporary Persian Dance), San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, CA
Compoliticated (Western Contemporary Dance), Mills College, Oakland, CA
2012 The Voice (Western Contemporary Dance), Studio Theatre at Trinity Laban School of
Music & Dance, London, UK
2011 Peeling off to Death (Western Contemporary Dance), Bonnie Bird Theatre, Trinity
Laban School of Music & Dance, London, UK
Mourning & Celebrating (Western Contemporary Dance), Trinity Laban School of Music & Dance, London, UK, Screened on BBC/Persian; based on music composed by Amir Sadeghi
2010 The Self Portrait (Western Contemporary Dance), Trinity Laban School of Music & Dance, London, UK
2009 Busy-Mind (Western Contemporary Dance), Trinity Laban School of Music & Dance, London, UK
PERFORMANCE (SELECT)
Current - Ballet Afsaneh principal dancer (2013 - current)
2016 Identity Theft (Western Contemporary Dance), SAFEhouse Art, San Francisco, CA
Water Table, Mills College Art Museum, Oakland, CA; choreographed by Melissa Fenley
& Company
2014 Scarambel, Mills College/ODC Dance Commons; choreographed by Merce
Cunningham; restaged by Holley Farmer
2013 Shift, Mills College Lisser Theatre and ODC Dance Commons; choreographed by
Sheldon Smith
Suite Sans Suite, Axis Dance Company, Mills College Lisser Theater & ODC Dance
Commons
2011 The Homeland, Bonnie Bird Theatre/London Schools, London, UK; choreographed by
Hagit Bar
2010 Improv Dance, Trinity Laban School of Music and Dance, London, UK; choreographed by Amir Sadeghi Konjami
Work the Line, Bonnie Bird Theatre in London, UK; choreographed by Gary Lambert
2009 In the Moment, Trinity Laban School of Music and Dance in London, UK; festival
performance
2005 Negar Venue, Folkloric Dance
2004 - 2006 Fajr, traditional dance pieces choreographed by Hayedeh Kishipoor
2004 Arasbaran, Tehran, Iran; Persian classical dance
2003 - 2005 Raze Afarinesh, Talare Vahdat Theater; choreographed by Hayedeh Kishipoor
2003 My Iran, Armenia Theater; choreographed by Hayedeh Kishipoor
EDUCATION
2015 Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Dance Performance and Choreography
Mills College, Oakland, CA
Awards: 2014 E. L. Wiegand Foundation Dance Innovator Award
2012 Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Honors in Dance Theatre
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, UK
2011 Martha Graham Intensive Summer Course, New York, NY
2009 Preparatory Certification in Dance
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, UK
2006 Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Management
University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
.
Get in touch today.