Meet Finleigh Zack | Artistic Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Finleigh Zack and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Finleigh, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have been a dancer my entire life since the age of four. I always knew I wanted to do something in the dance field growing up. Once high school started I found an interest in choreographing and working with other dancers in that way. I loved working and hearing other artists’ stories and combining them with my story and creating work out of those conversations. During my time at NYU Tisch, I was introduced to so many influential professors and artists who helped lead me to my career.

In early 2020, I struggled with isolation and my mental health took a toll. I decided to work on getting the care I needed and I soon turned to dance as an outlet. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, I had time to really think on what I wanted for myself in the future and begin working on something I had set as a goal as a 15 year old. This is when I decided why not combine something that I am so passionate about advocating for and sharing stories and providing resources for those who might be struggling as well. So many dancers and artists face mental health issues and some do not know where to turn for help. My goal is that my company will help break the sigma around mental health concerns and be a place where people can have the space to talk about it, ask questions, and use dance as a form to heal.

So I began creating this idea and turning it into a reality. Finleigh Zack Dance Inc. was established in the fall of 2020 and we have grown our community over the past 2.5 years.

None of this would have been possible if my professor/mentor and close family did not push me to go out of my comfort zone and dream beyond my limits.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a dancer/creator/artist, I have the advantage to express my emotions with my body and not just my words. I am able to tell stories of others, experiences, and even just ideas that pop into my head with my choreography. I have always been a creative person and I enjoy making things up and imagining what they might look like on a stage, ect.

As a business owner of an arts non profit organization, something that I strive for is to bringing a mindful approach to creating work. My goal is that not only are my dancers physical bodies taken in to account when creating but also their emotional bodies. I believe that we should celebrate dance in a true essence with the full body. Something that also sets us apart from other dance companies is not only do we perform work for the community, we also want to provide and give back to others through resources. Something that was lacking when I was a young dancer was mental health support. I want to be able to give love and support to those who might not know where to look and those who might be interested in learning more.

Something that really excites me is looking back at where I started and where the company is going. Sometimes it surprises me how much this company has grown in the past 2.5 years. Of course none of this would be possible without the community support, artists involved, and my close friends and family who are there every step of the way.

Building a business from scratch is never easy. Road blocks can pop up and so can certain challenges in every aspect of the organization whether it be the creative side or the business side. Something that I have learned and am still learning is to not take every aspect of my job so serious. This is not only a job but my passion and something that I have dreamed of since I was a young girl. Have fun, enjoy the small moments, celebrate accomplishments, and learn from mistakes.

Something that is very important to me is that people know my personal story with my mental health struggles and how I learned to cope with my road blocks and grow as an individual and artist. I want people to know that they are not alone if they might be struggling with mental health disorders. My goal is that people can come to FZD to learn more about how dance can be used in a therapeutic way and to become an advocate for mental health awareness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love exploring those not so touristy areas of NYC!

Some of my favorite spots to eat would definitely be MUD coffee, I have had lost of business meetings and coffee chats with friends and family in this small shop in the East Village and they by far have the best coffee downtown. Good music and good people!

Some other good food spots would be Lil’ Frankies, Cafe Cluny in the West Village, Olio E Pieu, Spes Wine Bar, 12 chairs has amazing Israeli food, Baar Baar, Soothr, and of course we must get an NYC bagel at either Brooklyn Bagel or Tompkins Sq. Bagels.

For entertainment I always enjoy some after dinner music. Smalls Jazz Club is a staple. This is an underground jazz club with limited seating for an intimate music performance. I also enjoy watching dance and The Joyce Theater is one of the most renowned contemporary dance/modern dance theaters. Another entertainment spot that is one of my favorites is Arts on Site. This woman led organization gives access to affordable theater space to emerging artists in Downtown NYC. (This was also one of the first venues my company performed professionally!) I also enjoy going to a comedy club near Greenwich Village!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As cheesy as this might sound, I want to thank my parents. I want to shout them out for dreaming with me, for going along with all my crazy ideas, and for believing that I can do what I set my mind to. Ever since I was young they have never questioned when I come to them and tell them what I am going to do. They support me and cheer me on.

Whatever it is, they are my number one supporter and will always have my back. My dream is theirs as much as it is mine.

Website: finleighzackdance.com

Instagram: @finleighzackdance

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finleigh-zack-dance-inc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finleighzackdance

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA30mw-31TAQg2t4922aOjw

Image Credits
Company images can be credited to Ava Pellor. My headshot is attached and is credited to Tiana Michele. There is another image of me working with the company which can be credited to Ana Henderson.