By Kristen Hedberg
Faustine Lavie has carved a commanding and deeply personal space for herself in the ever-evolving landscape of New York City’s dance world. From founding Faustine Lavie Dance Project (FLDP), performing with numerous contemporary companies, and rising in the partner dance world – particularly Hustle – Lavie is a dancer whose journey defies easy categorization. Her story is one of creative agility, joyful persistence, and an unshakeable belief in the transformative power of movement.
Founded in 2020, Faustine’s company Faustine Lavie Dance Project (FLDP) is rooted in curiosity, connection, and emotional resonance. Drawing from her and diverse training in ballet, modern, contemporary, and partner dance, Lavie creates work that is both conceptually rich and physically dynamic. FLDP is dedicated to making dance accessible and engaging for a wide range of audiences through thoughtful performances, workshops, and community outreach, all while exploring themes of human connection.
One of Lavie’s most cherished milestones since arriving in NYC was her 2024 residency at University Settlement, culminating in the debut of her first full evening-length work Unspoken Voices. “It was an amazing opportunity,” she reflects. “We had two sold-out shows, and the positive feedback from both audiences and fellow dance professionals meant so much.” FLDP’s momentum has only grown. Recently fiscally sponsored by Unique Projects through Pentacle, the company is now positioned to pursue more funding opportunities and expand its reach. “It’s a great next step,” Lavie says. “Eventually, I’d love for FLDP to grow from a project-based group to a part-time, ongoing company. And most of all, to pay my dancers more consistently.”
Lavie’s dance life is as expansive as it is intense. Beyond her own company, she performs with groups like The DynamitExperience, a relationship she holds close to her heart. “I love the work we do with Winston Dynamite Brown. The creation process is so enjoyable, and the energy of the people in that company is amazing whether we’re rehearsing in New York or touring in Kansas City.”
Another growing dimension of Lavie’s dance identity lies in partner dance, particularly Hustle. “I discovered Hustle back in 2021, when outdoor socials were becoming popular again,” she recalls. “It just clicked. I started learning at parties, and now I’m competing professionally.” She recently teamed up with her dance partner Gustavo Rueda, with whom she is developing new routines, lifts, and tricks. They will debut as instructors and judges at Swing Dance America in May 2025.
As someone who fluidly moves between contemporary dance companies, partner dance competitions, choreography, and instruction, Lavie wears many hats, and with stunning grace. “I never get bored,” she laughs. “One day I’m in a modern dance rehearsal, the next I’m practicing Hustle tricks with Gustavo, and then I’m in a studio with my FLDP dancers creating something new. The switch is constant, and I love it.”
What makes this blend so powerful is how it informs her artistic growth. “Hustle has changed how I think about connection and partnering. As a concert dancer, you can’t fully understand lead and follow until you experience it in your body. It has made me a better partner in contemporary duets and broadened my choreographic toolbox.”
Keeping pace with such a full schedule demands intention. Lavie thrives on structure, using a meticulously color-coded agenda to juggle her many roles. “I’m very organized, and I’ve learned to prioritize sleep, healthy meals, and regular exercise,” she says. “When I work out or do yoga before rehearsals, I feel more present and energized throughout the day.”
But she also recognizes the need for balance, advising younger artists to find consistency rather than perfection. “Even if I’m tired, I know I’ll feel worse if I skip movement altogether. Recovery is important—but so is momentum.”
What keeps Lavie inspired? People. “The dancers I work with, the choreographers around me, my Hustle community, my students… there’s so much talent in this city,” she says. She also stays curious, exploring new forms and skills. “My partner’s teaching me a bit of ballroom now—who knows, maybe one day we’ll compete or perform in even more styles.”
This openness to growth fuels her ambitions for the next few years: continuing to perform with companies like The DynamitExperience, Six Degrees Dance, and sarAika Movement Collective, expanding FLDP’s work into new festivals and venues, and further developing her presence in the partner dance world.
To those considering the leap into the United States arts scene, Lavie offers grounded but passionate advice: “Work hard and don’t give up. There will be moments of frustration – at yourself, at the industry, at being far from home. But in those moments, remember your why. You’re here because you love your art. That passion is your anchor.”
In a city that never stops moving, Faustine Lavie has danced her way into something uniquely hers. With unrelenting joy, fierce discipline, and a heart open to all kinds of movement, she’s a force shaping the future of dance, one step, one lift, one story at a time.
