Cheryl Cutlip
Founder & Executive Director
Cheryl Cutlip is a director, choreographer, and educator, and the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to fostering hope and healing through the universal language of dance. Founded in New York City in 2002, the organization has produced multi-day dance residencies and performances in more than 25 cities worldwide, with a presence across North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and South America.
Originally from North Carolina, Cutlip began her professional dance career in Nashville at Opryland USA before performing internationally on a cruise ship, at Tokyo Disneyland in Japan, and with the European tour of 42nd Street and the Broadway National Tour of Crazy For You. She later moved to New York City, where she joined the Radio City Rockettes, performing for 15 seasons. During her tenure, she served as Dance Captain, Assistant Choreographer, and national spokesperson, appearing in major media interviews and broadcasts.
Her choreographic and performance credits span stage, television, and large-scale live events, including Kick Into Fitness, Christmas Across America, the Yankee Pennant Parade, and NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center. Additional credits include the national tour of Crazy for You and the Broadway benefit production of Mack and Mabel, featuring Jerry Herman and Donna McKechnie. She also performed with WALKERDANCE under the direction of Chet Walker, including a special performance honoring composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz.
Cutlip is currently based in Boone, North Carolina, where she directs The Carolina Snowbelles, a precision dance company, and leads The Space @ Project Dance, the foundation’s training and educational hub.
the History
of
Project Dance
2002
how we began
Project Dance was born out of a powerful vision in the heart of Cheryl Cutlip, a former Radio City Rockette and student at Westminster Theological Seminary. In the wake of 9/11, Cheryl felt called to bring hope and healing to the streets of New York City—not through words, but through the universal language of dance.
What began as a one-time event in 2002 quickly became a movement. The dancers who participated—and the public who witnessed it—were deeply moved and eager to see it continue. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Today, Project Dance has reached over 35 cities around the globe, with 20 more preparing to host their first events. The annual New York City gathering, now in its 22nd year, has received a governor’s proclamation and is recognized as one of the top ten dance events in the city.
From the rubble of tragedy, a global dance movement was born—one that continues to inspire, uplift, and unite communities through the power of performance and purpose.
2002-2025
our heart in the matter
The Project Dance Foundation shares the universal language of dance with the world through vibrant, open-air concerts held in cities across the globe. These dynamic performances infuse public spaces with hope, healing, and a message that uplifts all who attend. More than just a show, each event becomes a celebration—where dancers from around the world unite to train, perform, and empower one another through shared purpose and passion. At the heart of our mission is the belief that every dancer deserves to be nurtured to their fullest human potential. By investing in the individual artist, we are shaping a future where dance and entertainment reflect integrity, inspiration, and lasting cultural impact for generations to come.
2025-beyond
where we're headed
At our unforgettable 20th Anniversary celebration in Kona, Hawaii, dancers from across the globe came together to honor two decades of purpose, passion, and performance. The energy was electric, and one thing was undeniable—Project Dance is more vital than ever. As we look to the future, we’re setting our sights high: 20 new cities, 20 more years, one unstoppable movement. Join us as we dance across the world, spreading hope, unity, and inspiration—one city at a time!
