From Swiss Championship Podiums to NYC Stages: How Mina Rose Built Her Transatlantic Dance Career

Studio lights dim at Lincoln Center's Josie Robertson Plaza, and silence envelops the audience. Movement begins—not the sharp, calculated steps of traditional performance, but something more profound. Mina Rose emerges from the shadows, her body conveying stories beyond words. Each gesture reflects her journey from Swiss competition stages to New York's most prestigious dance venues, where she transforms movement into a silent conversation between body and soul.

Rose's career signals a significant shift in the global dance industry, challenging traditional hierarchies and embracing holistic approaches to artistic expression. She has worked across two continents, representing a new generation of dancers who integrate technical excellence with emotional authenticity. By bridging these worlds, Rose advances her career and contributes to a broader discussion about dance's future. This evolution is especially timely, as the performing arts face mounting pressures from digital entertainment, shifting audience expectations, and the ongoing challenge of remaining relevant in a fragmented cultural landscape.

The Science of Movement and Emotion

Recent research in neuroscience and movement therapy supports what dancers have long understood: The body and mind function as an integrated system. Rose begins her approach to choreography with imagery or text-based prompts, inviting dancers to move from sensation and emotion before refining technique. This reversal of traditional training aligns with findings from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, which show that emotional engagement enhances motor learning and retention.

By emphasising emotional engagement, Rose encourages dancers to connect deeply with their experiences before focusing on technical refinement. This method fosters authenticity in performance and supports long-term artistic growth. Her students and peers have noted her work's increased sense of connection and expressiveness.

Rose placed 2nd in the 2018 Swiss Championship Showdance Solo, a highly competitive national event featuring dozens of Switzerland's most promising dancers in her division. She also achieved multiple group podium finishes, performing for sold-out audiences typical of national and significant events, ranging from 500 to 700 people. These experiences provided a strong foundation in technical precision. Rose continued her training at London's Trinity Laban Conservatoire and New York's Ailey School, where she immersed herself in two distinct approaches. Trinity Laban emphasised somatic practices, while the Ailey School focused on African American cultural expression through dance. This technical rigor and expressive depth combination has defined her unique artistic voice.

She created her commissioned work, Joyful Liberation, for the Phyllis Rose Dance Company, exemplifying this integrated approach. The piece explores freedom and inner resilience through emotionally driven, story-centred work that blends a strong technical foundation with human connection.

'Debuting this piece in June 2025 was both a professional milestone and a personal turning point,' Rose says. The company will perform Joyful Liberation through 2025 and 2026, underscoring the demand for artists who combine technical skill with authentic expression. Rose secured this commission early in her career, highlighting her growing reputation.

Redefining Professional Dance Training

The contemporary dance industry faces significant challenges, and Rose's career helps illuminate them. Traditional training prioritises physical perfection over artistic development, contributing to burnout and shortened careers.

Rose addresses these issues through a teaching methodology centred on emotional intelligence, storytelling, and anatomy-based guidance to offer a more holistic, human approach to movement. She believes fostering a love for dance—both in the classroom and studio—holds equal importance to teaching strong technique. Rose nurtures her students' artistry, curiosity, and confidence by integrating emotional intelligence and storytelling. This approach encourages dancers to explore their creative voices, producing technically accomplished and deeply personal performances.

Rose serves as rehearsal director for choreographer Elizabeth Buchheister's Study Series, translating complex choreographic concepts into accessible language for performers. She honed this skill through her experience in competitive and contemporary dance. This dual expertise places her among a growing group of professionals who bridge diverse movement traditions and training philosophies. Colleagues have praised her ability to foster collaboration and understanding among dancers, further amplifying her impact.

Rose also distinguishes herself from traditional dance professionals through her business acumen. She approaches her practice with a clear marketing mindset, taking time to understand her unique strengths, focus her energy, and build a brand that reflects her values. This strategic approach mirrors broader changes in the creative economy, where artists must also be entrepreneurs. Rose's intentional career development has enabled her to make purposeful choices, from project selection to personal branding.

The Future of Cross-Cultural Dance Exchange

Rose's transatlantic career mirrors broader trends in cultural globalisation and artistic exchange. She performs with Mosaic Dance Theater and Phyllis Rose Dance Theater in New York, and her European competition background provides a unique perspective that transcends national boundaries. This international experience is increasingly valuable as dance companies seek to engage diverse audiences and tell stories that resonate across cultures. Rose adapts to different artistic environments, making her a sought-after collaborator in Europe and the United States.

Rose participates in events such as the Table of Silence performance at Lincoln Center, demonstrating her commitment to dance as a form of social engagement. These performances often address contemporary issues and reflect a growing trend toward activist artistry within the dance community. Rose's work in these settings highlights her belief in dance's ability to foster dialogue and inspire change. She balances commercial success with artistic integrity, placing herself among a generation of performers who integrate creative and social responsibilities.

The performing arts rely on cross-border collaboration, and artists like Rose act as cultural ambassadors, enriching the American dance landscape and contributing to global dialogue. Her journey highlights the vital role of supporting international mobility for artists, fostering the continued thriving of creative exchange.

Building Tomorrow's Dance Landscape

She describes her choreographic voice as blending classical foundations with improvisation, emotional narrative, and interdisciplinary elements, such as spoken word and sound collage, signaling the future of dance as a multimedia art form. Rose recognises that contemporary audiences seek more than technical proficiency; they seek authentic emotional connection and meaningful narrative. By embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, she continues to expand the possibilities of dance both on stage and in the broader cultural conversation.

Rose's philosophy of fostering a love for dance—both in the classroom and the studio as we create—is just as crucial as teaching strong technique, addressing core questions about arts education and cultural transmission. She emphasises that the future of dance training involves developing pedagogical methods that simultaneously cultivate technical excellence and emotional authenticity. Her commitment to holistic education is evident in her teaching, choreography, and mentorship, setting a standard for the next generation of dance professionals.

Rose's progression from ranking among the top dancers in Swiss national competitions to performing at some of New York's most renowned venues highlights an achievement reached only by a select few in the dance world. She has maintained competitive excellence while cultivating a creative voice that stands out, offering a model for dancers aspiring to build lasting careers without sacrificing artistic vision. Rose's path demonstrates that dance's future is shaped by those who expand beyond traditional training to embrace a broad spectrum of human expression. Her experience offers a valuable perspective for anyone ready to push the boundaries of the art as the industry continues to evolve.