Director and Producer

Antonio Fini is an Italian American resident of New York City. He has produced and directed films, dance companies and festivals for more than 10 years. He was guest principal artist for the Martha Graham Dance Company and Erik Hawkins Dance Company, danced for Staten Island Ballet, Boca Ballet, and for Michael Mao Dance which he joined in 2010.
A repeat judge for “Dancing With Stars,” in Italy, Antonio is also the founder and Artistic Director of the Italian International Dance Awards in New York City and festivals in Calabria, Italy, in Tirana with the International Dance Academy Albania, and in Sofia, Bulgaria. Antonio’s outreach activities began in 2011 when he founded the Alto Jonio Festival to discover young talents and choreographer to present them in Europe and in America, as well as to bring American artists to Italy. He added an annual summer festival at Ailey Theater in New York City to introduce Italian artists to America, and to award American, Italian-American and Italian artists such as Edward Villela, Alexandra Ferri, Luigi, as well as Terese Capucilli an Jacqlyn Buglisi and many others.
In 2015, he founded Fini Production, LLC, with the mission to create opportunities for performing artists. In the same year, he is recognized by the United States of America as a permanent citizen for artistic merits. In 2018, Antonio was awarded as an Ambassador for Cultural Diplomacy by ACD Agency for Cultural Diplomacy in Vienna for his work as a dancer and producer using the arts as a vehicle for peace and diplomacy. In 2019, he started his own TV Channel for dancers and fitness lovers.

As a Dancer

Antonio Fini was a principal dancer with Michael Mao Dance, one of the foremost modern and contemporary companies of multi-cultural performers in New York City. Stylistically, Antonio merged athleticism with art, bringing fluid energy to the simplest of intentions. Performing in New York City throughout the US, and Europe Antonio was also  special guest with Martha Graham Dance Company, Erick Hawkins dance company, The National Ballet of Kosovo, Staten Island Ballet,  Boca Ballet Theater and Mare Nostrum Elements.

In 2010 he was Awarded by Joseph Fontano as Emerging Choreographer at Stefano Valentini Award  III Edition. He receives from Brunilda Lato the Altomonte Dance Award and in 2014 he was Award by Aldo Masella with the Teatro Carcano Award.

As choreographer he created works for the National Ballet of Kosovo, Roi Escudero, the Players of the Square, Company in residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and “La danza dei camorristi” for the New York City Opera at Rose Theater at Lincoln Center.

Antonio Fini began his career dancing tarantella, horseback riding, and the Martial Arts in Villapiana, Calabria, Italy, where he was born.

His innate talent for movement and performing qualities earned him a scholarship to Milan’s Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano directed by Aldo Masella and Renata Bestetti, where he was taught ballet by Margherita Smirnova, and Graham Technique by Elena Albano, appearing also in their respective choreographed works in concert. At Carcano he studied dance, music, drama, acrobatics. In Amsterdam he learned to perform fire-dancing.

Before moving to the United States he danced in Italy for the Teatro Massimo of Palermo, I Giovani del Carcano, Talenti in Scena and Balletto di Milano.

In TV he danced for Paola Barale, Milano Rockin’ Fashion, designer Frankie Morello in choreography by Luca Tommassini. Antonio has choreographed in Italy for Talent on Stage inMilan, for Siris Festival of Nova Siri “Diego e Isabella”, “Ethno-show” in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan, and in 2005 he won the Olympics Game of Dance in Milan.

Antonio has taught dance at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, SLK Ballet School and Huntington Center for Performing Arts, throughout Italy, in Spain, Switzerland, France, Kosovo, and Alaska. He is also a certified Pilates Instructor as well as a Reiki healer.

Press

Interview on https://spettacolomusicasport.com by Francesca Monti

 

As a Producer

Film production:

2023 Short Movie “Nightmare Audition” Director Gianni Santucci (producer)

2023 TV Series “Fini Dance Change Your Destiny (producer and director) for Samsung TV,

2023 Italian International dance Award New York Vimeo/Fini Dance TV / Samsung TV.

2022 Italian International dance Award New York Vimeo/Fini Dance TV.

2020 Home Dance Challenge (co – producer and Host) IG TV

2019 Graham Tecniche – Instructional Videos, Vimeo /Fini Dance TV (producer and director)

2018 Italian International dance Award New York Vimeo/Fini Dance TV

2017 Dance the Audition – Amazon Prima – RAI national TV, (producer and director)

2017 Italian International dance Award New York Vimeo/Fini Dance TV

2015 Dancing with Noa – Short Film (producer and Dancer) International Festivals

Awards

2018 ACD Ambassador for Cultural Diplomacy

2014 Carcano Theatre Career Award

2013 Altomonte Dance Award – Brunilda Lato

2010 Stefano Valentini Award  III Edition “Emerging Choreographer” – Joseph Fontano

Foundations/Festivals: (Director and Producer) 

Fini Dance Festival  Italy – New York 2011 – present

Italian international dance Award 2011 – Present

Alto Jonio Dance Award Italy 2011 – present

Tirana Dance Festival – Albania 2017 – 19

Bulgarian International dance Festival – Sofia 2017 – 18

 

Judge for Competition and Examinations 

Dancing with the Stars  Italy 2017 – present

Alto Jonio Dance international Competition,“City of Villapiana“ 2011/2020

ECS Emerging Choreographers Series – Mare Nostrum Elements 2014, 2015

Nettuno Dance Competition Festival 2013

Danza in Fiera – Metro Talent, Florence, Italy 2012/2015

Career

2010  to Present  Michael Mao Dance, New York City Center, Principal since 2012

2009, 2017 Martha Graham Dance Company Apprentice, Guest

2017 – Documentary “Dance The Audition” (Director and Producer

2015 – present  Erik Hawkins dance company, Special Principal Guest

2013 -15 National Ballet of Kosovo, Ahmet Brahimaj, Director, Special Principal Guest, VERDI REQUIEM

2013- 15 National Ballet of Kosovo Ahmet Brahimaj, Director, Guest Choreographer of “Where the Light Falls”

2010-15 Collaboration with Israeli Musician Noa Guy, “Drop of Conscious Ness”

2010-18 Staten Island Ballet, Ellen Tharp, Director

2011 Per LA Dance Company, Simona Paterniani, Director Italy

2010 AlphaOmega Dance Company, Enrique Cruz De Jesus, Director

2010 Teatro Grattacielo at Lincoln Center, Dancer/Choreographer for the Opera “I Gioielli della Madonna”

2009 Boca Ballet, Principal for the “The Nutcracker” by Dan Guin and Jane Tyree

2009 Guest for Ellison Ballet dancing choreography by Christopher Fleming

2008- 18 Long Island Ballet Theatre, in choreography by David Fernandez, Christopher Fleming

2008-09 Hunter Dance Theatre, Witney Hunter Director NYC

2007-11 Mare Nostrum Elements, NYC, Nicola Iervasi, Kevin Albert, Co-Directors

2007-10 Players of the Square” at Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Alessandra Belloni, Director.

2007-10 Choreographer for Tarantella, A Spider Dance Alessandra Belloni, Director.

2007-09 Martha Graham Dance  Ensemble, Virginie Mécène, Director

2007 ETDC Project Lab, Danced and choreographed for Roi Escudero, Artist

2006 Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano, “Brige of Doon,”

2005 Balletto di Milano, Coccia of Novara, “L’Italiana in Algeri,” Aldo Rasela Director

2005 Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano, “L’Avaro,”

2004 Teatro Massimo di Palermo, “Giselle” Maestro Giuseppe Carbone Director

2004 Syris Festival di Novasiri, Basilicata, Italy, “Diego e Isabella,” Dancer/Choreographer

2004 “Racconti Romani” Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano, Milan

2003  ITALIA 1 – Milano Rockin’ Fashion Paola Barale Host; Luca Tommasini Ch. – TV

2003 “La Giara”.Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano  Milan

2003 ITALIA UNO Channel  “Milano Rockin’ Fashion,” Paola Barale Host; Luca Tommasini.

2002 “Danza fra cielo e terra”, “Tersicore,” Antonio Gentile Director

 

 

Choreography

2023  “Migration” National Ballet of Kosovo

2022 “Summer Storm” French American Ballet Theater

2021 “ Summer Spirit” Fini Dance Junior Company

2020  “ Villavana” for Fini Dance Junior Company

2018 “ Black Flame” Fini Dance Festival  Italian International Dance Award New York

2017 “ Mi Fido di te” for Adelfia Ballet Itlay

2016 “ la Rondine”  for International Dance Academy Albania Mimoza Bekteshi e Andrea Kokeri Artistic Directors – Albania

2015 “Memory of Tirana”  for Fini Dance Festival  Italian International Dance Award New York

2014 “ Gym-me” for International Dance Academy Albania Mimoza Bekteshi e Andrea Kokeri Artistic Directors –  Albania

2013 “Where the Light Falls” for the National Ballet of Kosovo, Pristina, Kosovo

2013 “Magister” for Italian International Dance Festival NYC – NYC

2012 “Artisti Uniti” per AJD Festival, Villapiana, Italy

2011 “Quando Amuri …” for Alto Jonio Dance, Villapiana, Italy

2011 “Pioggia” for Tatiana Sehic, Vienna, Austria

2011 “Memorial for Martha Graham” for Alto Jonio Dance, Villapiana, Italy

2007-10 “Tarantella Spider Dance”  for i Giullari di Piazza, NYC

2010 “Dionysus Prophet” for the Valentini Award III edition Cosenza, Italy

2010 “Camorrist Dance” for Grattacielo Theater at Lincoln Center, I Gioielli della Madonna NYC

2010 “Beyond Dance” for musician Noa Guy, performed at Roulette NYC

2010 “Red Earth”  for Caterina Rago Dance Company NYC

2008 “Il golfo dei poeti” for Martha Graham Studio Concert NYC

2007 “Common Masks” for Martha Graham Studio Concert, NYC

2007 “Antonin” for Etdc Project’Lab NYC

2006  “Mi Fido Di Te” for Talenti in Scena Company, Milan, Italy

2006  “Black Night” for Talenti in Scena Company, Milan, Italy

2006  “Acrobat” for Talenti in Scena Company Milan, Italy

2006 “Maya” for the Show in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan, Italy

2005  “Torero” for Olympic Dance, Milan, Italy

2004  “Diego e Isabella” for Syris Festival, Nova Siri, Basilicata, Italy

 

 

                                             

 

Teaching

2022 DanzAscoli, Ascoli Italy

2015 Teatro Olimpia , Crotone Italy

2015 Centro Studi Danza Margherita Mingrone, Rossano, Italy

2014 Talent Unlimited High School, NYC

2013-14 SLK Ballet New York, NYC

2012 Peridance Capezio Center, NYC

2011-14 Alto Jonio Dance Festival, Italy

2011 Danza Aurora, Lattarico, Italy

2011 Arte Danza Vaganova, Italy

2010 Long Island Ballet School, Long Island, NYC

2009-10 Capogiro, Fano, Italy

2009 AGA Ballet, Riccione, Italy

2009 Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, NYC

2008-13 Danza & Fitness, Villapiana Lido, Italy

2012-13 Dance Inside, Riccione, Italy

2006-14 International Workshops:  Madrid, Spain, Vienna, Austria;  Langenthal, Switzerland;

Pristina, Kosovo;  Tirana, Albania; Sitka, Alaska

 

 

Awards

2018 ACD Ambassador for Cultural Diplomacy

2014 Carcano Theatre Career Award

2013 Altomonte Dance Award – Brunilda Lato

2010 Stefano Valentini Award  III Edition “Emerging Choreographer” – Joseph Fontano

 

Foundations/Festivals:

Fini Dance Festival  Italy – New York 2011 – present

Italian international dance Award 2011 – Present

Alto Jonio Dance Award Italy 2011 – present

Tirana Dance Festival – Albania 2017 – 19

Bulgarian International dance Festival – Sofia 2017 – 18

 

Judge for Competition and Examinations 

Dancing with the Stars  Italy 2017 – present

Alto Jonio Dance international Competition,“City of Villapiana“ 2011/2020

ECS Emerging Choreographers Series – Mare Nostrum Elements 2014, 2015

Nettuno Dance Competition Festival 2013

Danza in Fiera – Metro Talent, Florence, Italy 2012/2015

 

Education/Certifications:

2009 Master Reiki Degree from Reiki Master Reverend Louise Portier

2009 Degree in Contemporary Dance at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance PTP Professional Training Program; TTP Teaching Training Program,Virginie Mécène, Director

2008 Pilates certification Program Sal Anthony Movement Salon with Daniel Giel and Anthony Macagnone

2003-06 BFA, Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano di Milano, Aldo Masella, Renata Bestetti Directors

2002 High School Degree in Science at  Liceo Scientifico “Galileo Galilei” Trebisacce Italy

 

Scholarships:

Milan’s Centro Studi Coreografici Teatro Carcano

Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance

 

Influential Instructor:

Directing: Aldo Masella, Kevin Alber, Gianni Santucci

Acting: Aldo Masella, Kevin Albert

Ballet: Margarita Smirnova, Tami Allison, David Howard, Christopher Fleming, Michael Mao.

Graham Technique: Elena Albano, Pearl Lang, Peggy Lyman, Peter London, Virginie Mécène,

Marnie Thomas, Lone Larsen, Jacglyn Buglisi, Donlon Foreman, Kevin Predmore, Linda Hodes.

Paul Taylor technique: Ruth Andrien, Lisa Viola, Reagan Wood, Michael Trusnovec.

Acting: Aldo Masella, Kevin Albert, Nicola Iervasi.

Modern Jazz: LUIGI, Francis Roach,  Analu DePinho. Antonio Gentile.

Acrobatics: Antonio Gentile.

Anatomy: Elena Albano.

Music: Leonardo Saraceni, Alessandra Belloni.

Dance History: Aldo Masella, Ellen Graff.

Ballet Pedagogy: Elena Cipollini, Lara Crivelli.

Pedagogy of Graham Technique: Marnie Thomas, Peggy Lyman, Virginie Mécène.