Every Breath—
Composer: Djeff Houle
Choreographer: Peter Chu
Dancer: Madison Pineda Bender
Every Breath- is a solo excerpt from Moving Constructs that explores the connection between the human body and its lineage through expressive movement. Inspired by the serene environment of Orsolina 28 in Italy and the dancers of chuthis., this piece showcases the beauty of raw expression and individuality.
Madison Pineda Bender
Madison Pineda Bender began her early dance training in Sacramento, CA, and Keller, TX. At 16, she moved to New York City to attend The Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary Program. In 2021, Madison graduated from The Juilliard School with a B.F.A. in Dance, receiving the Martha Hill Award and the Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship Grant. She also trained at the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Dance Festival, the Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, and the Arts Umbrella Summer Dance Intensive.
Madison has performed the works of Martha Graham, Crystal Pite, and Paul Taylor and new creations by Ohad Naharin, Desmond Richardson, Andrea Miller, and Darrel Moultrie. She was chosen to present her work in Juilliard’s 2019 ChoreoComp program and later, worked as Rena Butler’s choreographic assistant for the Juilliard New Dances: Edition 2021 production.
From 2022-2023, Madison worked as a company dancer and teaching artist with GroundWorks DanceTheater, performing new creations by Antonio Brown, Peter Chu, Rena Butler, David Shimotakahara, Spenser Theberge, and Sidra Bell. Madison staged and rehearsed choreography by Rena Butler on the students at George Mason University and recently worked as her choreographic assistant for a new creation at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Madison recently joined Peter Chu's company, chuthis., and performed last summer, at Orsolina28. She premiered new work on Tampa City Ballet in their “Era” show last fall and performed as a soloist in their recent “Carmen” production. In February, she performed in visual artist, Jason Hackenwerth’s, “Sparrow’s Dream” at the Palladium.
Peter Chu
PETER CHU (he/him) is a movement artist whose versatile roles encompass director, choreographer, stager, performer, educator, and mentor. Driven by a deep curiosity and a
passion for learning, he generously shares his experiences and insights with others. Chu's love for the arts fuels his vivid imagination and creative expression.
Born in the Bronx and raised in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Peter’s interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine deepened his understanding of his Chinese identity and influenced his artistic and individual values. This healing approach informs his creative process and shapes the movement experiences he cultivates.
Peter began his journey as a competitive gymnast and further developed his artistry at Dussich Dance Studio. As a BFA student at The Juilliard School, he honed his technical skills and embarked on a path in choreography, earning the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreography upon graduation.
With over two decades of experience in both concert and commercial dance, Chu has performed with esteemed companies such as Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Crystal Pite's Kidd Pivot, EZdanza, Aszure Barton and Artists, and Celine Dion's *A New Day*. His choreography has been featured in numerous organizations, including Ballet Augsburg, Backhaus Dance, Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, DART Dance Company, Gibney Dance Company, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kansas City Ballet, MØN festival,and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. In 2008, he founded the project-based company chuthis., where he explores innovative lighting and sound alongside live contemporary movement, delving into the depths of his identity and artistry as a director, choreographer, and educator.
Chu's accolades include the 2010 A.C.E. Capezio Award and recognition as the 2008 Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival choreographer. In 2018, he was honoured with the Harvard Blogett Award for Distinguished Artist for his impactful creative work at the Theater, Dance, and Media Department at Harvard University, where he served as a guest faculty member for three years. He has also been the Rehearsal Director for Nederlands Dans Theater 2 and served as Guest Rehearsal Director for NDT1.
Currently based in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Peter travels frequently for freelance choreographic commissions and teaching opportunities. He is honoured to be a Choreographic Mentor for one of the Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows and the Upsurge Dance Festival. This past summer, chuthis. enjoyed a residency at Orsolina 28, where they premiered a new work and chuthis. ended dancing a mini tour to Germany and the Netherlands featuring a duet evening called SHIFT. chuthis. concluded the summer with a residency at Perry Mansfield in Steamboat Springs, CO.
As the director of chuthis. Perspectives and co-director with Jess Hendricks of Creating WAVES, Chu continues to push the physical boundaries of dance, earning respect as a sought-after artist in the industry.
