

RAPHAEL XAVIER
Philadelphia, PA
Photo by Joanna Futral
Raphael Xavier has forged an exceptional approach to improvisation, clearing the path for those interested in breaking as an art form. A multifaceted creator who draws inspiration from his many talents in dance, music, photography, and writing, Xavier’s original works are a transcendent mix of poetry, precision, and spontaneity. His extensive research in Hip Hop forms and culture, specifically Breaking, has led to the creation of Ground-Core, a Somatic dance technique. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Xavier is a 2013 Pew Fellowship Grantee and 2016 Guggenheim Fellow. Xavier currently lives in Philadelphia and is a professor at Princeton University.
Ideas in Motion: 21st Century Dance Practices (2023)