In Memory of Nakotah LaRance
Nakota LaRance was one of the greatest dancers I’ve ever seen. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with him. His art was utterly unique, a seamless weaving of native hoop dancing with hip hop. Nakotah danced his Hip Hop Hoop dance for four consecutive years as part of The Brooklyn Nutcracker. He was seen and wildly applauded by over 14,000 audiences members here in New York. Nakotah was always learning, integrating, leaning into and incorporating new hip hop moves he picked up from Brooklyn’s streets and its dancers. Each year he came back to Brooklyn with added elements and new twists to his dance, new transitions, dynamic changes, faster, quicker, tossing a hoop to the ceiling, while another two hoops twirled by his feet, then a slow body wave, catch the hoop, dime stop. Magical.
He was loved by us all, he was a friend and we miss him. Our deepest sympathies go to the LaRance family. Brooklyn Ballet’s programs will continue to honor his legacy and Native Culture.
Lynn Parkerson
Founding Artistic Director
Brooklyn Ballet
If you would like to make a contribution in Nakotah's s honor, his family is accepting donations through the nonprofit Lightning Boy Foundation.
Read his full obituary in The New York Times.
