NOVUS

CONTEMPORARY

BALLET

Founded in 2017 by Meredith Cabaniss and Wilson Vu, Novus Dance Project emerged as a bold new voice in Los Angeles that championed artistic collaboration, experimentation, and innovation. Rooted in the vibrant dance community of Southern California, the company offered a platform where emerging artists of all disciplines — dancers, choreographers, composers, musicians, visual and digital artists — could come together to create work that pushed boundaries and defied convention.

Now, as the company reawakens, Novus Dance Project renews its mission:

To be a collaborative and creative platform for all emerging artists on the Central Coast.

With a signature style that merges neoclassical ballet and contemporary dance, Novus continues to reflect the evolving aesthetics of a new generation of movement artists. The company proudly returns as Novus Contemporary Ballet, with a growing network of artists spanning Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and New York.

Novus Contemporary Ballet is a proud sister company of Selah Dance Collective, expanding both organizations' reach and artistic vision. The two companies will collaborate throughout the 2025–26 season, deepening their commitment to boundary-pushing, community-rooted performance.

Upcoming Collaborations Include:

  • September 2025: Lobero Theatre (Santa Barbara) – A full evening of performance featuring both Növus and Selah Dance Collective, in collaboration with NoMad Tango

  • Fall 2025 – Spring 2026: New original works presented in Los Angeles and New York City

Season 002

A Season of Revival, Collaboration, and Creative Ascent

For the first time since 2018, Novus returns to the stage with a season that celebrates its reemergence as a vital voice in contemporary dance. Titled FORGED, the 2025–2026 season reflects the company’s renewed commitment to artistic experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of emerging voices in dance and performance.

This season marks a new chapter in the company’s history as it joins forces with its sister company, Selah Dance Collective, to present original works that explore transformation, connection, and collective artistry. With a diverse ensemble of performers and collaborators across California and the East Coast, Novus offers a series of performances bridging genres, geographies, and generations.