Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Rachael Inman began working together in Florida State University’s graduate program in 2000. Not only did the two share an Arabic heritage, most importantly, they shared a vision to collaborate, create and celebrate through life experiences. They both spent time developing programming for the FSUdanceSARASOTA initiative, and Wilmott decided to establish roots in the area
. In 2006, they decided to incorporate and subsequently, form a non-profit organization. Sarasota Contemporary Dance is now recognized for its collaborative performances with artists of various genres which have increased every year. The company’s educational outreach complements performances by year-round offerings of diverse school performances, master classes, and weekly dance classes, and builds partnerships with local art and community organizations. Since 2007 Sarasota Contemporary Dance has reached more than 1800 students in K-12. Other demonstrable successes: collaboration with Sarasota's Season of Sculpture on the Bayfront resulted in an original choreography; the Salvador Dali Museum commissioned Fuzión for four different engagements including choreography for their exhibits and opening ceremony for their new building; Art Center of Sarasota, Artists Series, and South Florida Museum have presented Fuzión; and our ongoing collaboration with Jazz Juvenocracy has become one of our local community favorites.
