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
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.