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Friday, March 29, 2024

With his YouthWorks dancers looking on, choreographer José Mateo accepts an award May 10 in Cambridge’s Sanctuary Theatre. (Photo: Liza Voll)

Choreographer José Mateo become the ninth recipient of the Boston Dance Alliance’s Dr. Michael Shannon Dance Champion Award this month.

Mateo, also founder and artistic director of Cambridge’s José Mateo Ballet Theatre, a producer of new ballets and a school for ballet training, is known for his civic contributions, creating programs such as Dance for World Community — including its festival, taking place from noon to 10 p.m. June 9 in Harvard Square — that broaden the reach of ballet and make dance an effective community-building force, said Ruth Birnberg, executive director of the alliance.

“We’re thrilled to be honoring such an outstanding figure in Boston’s dance community,” Birnberg said of the May 10 event. “As a prominent choreographer, teacher and supporter of the entire dance community, José embodies the spirit of this award.”

This honor was created in 2004 to recognize members of the dance community who have made important and lasting contributions to the dance landscape in Boston, she said.

The alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting dance in the Boston area. The event, held at Cambridge’s Sanctuary Theatre, included a raffle as well as youth performances from the José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s YouthWorks and Jo-Mé Dance and benefited programs and services of the alliance, said Nicole Boudreau, a trustee.

This post was written primarily from press releases.