Trained broadly in ballet, breakdance, musical theater, and hip hop, Asyl builds her choreographic language on a foundation of formal technique — and deliberately breaks the rules she knows. Her practice as a contemporary dancer is steeped in narrative, rhythm, and risk.

Musically fluent, Asyl collaborates closely with composers and musicians. She choreographed and danced in a music video for Fire Dance by singer-songwriter Mariel and has created stage works to classical and electronic compositions by peers. She occasionally takes the creative risk of choreographing her own musical work (see Ropes in Video Gallery).

Each of Asyl’s choreographic compositions explores a different emotional arc:

• a person choosing the safety of a narrow cage over the fear of open space;

• a girl growing from rejecting femininity to reclaiming joy through it;

• a cult leader leading worshippers to their demise.

Her pieces weave in her background in acting to deepen the narrative pull.

Asyl often operates as Concept Originator, Choreographer, Dancer, Actor, and Assistant Director within her projects– and she isn’t stopping anytime soon. Fresh off Fire Dance, she is now developing music videos for four tracks from Mariel’s album Sunspit.