DDT & Live Music

Music, Composers & Live Collaborations

Music is not just the backdrop to our work — it is the source.

Since its founding, Dissonance Dance Theatre has cultivated a rich tradition of musical collaboration that elevates every production from performance to experience. DDT has partnered with an impressive roster of local and national musicians, ensembles, and composers who share the company’s commitment to artistic excellence and innovation. Past collaborators include Catholic University of America’s Rome School of Music — both its graduate Composition Department and Women’s Ensemble — as well as celebrated regional ensembles including Sine Qua Non (the Blue Alley Band), Atlantic Reed Consort, and the Georgetown Quintet. These partnerships have shaped some of DDT’s most beloved and enduring works, and reflect the company’s belief that the dialogue between movement and sound is at the heart of great dance.

Among DDT’s most celebrated musical relationships is that with Los Angeles-based, award-winning composer Michael Mollo — a collaborator whose history with the company stretches back to DDT’s earliest days. Mollo first composed for Dissonance Dance Theatre with the work Human and returned to create an original commissioned score for The Bridge of Light, a 45-minute work reflecting the full breadth of his compositional range. Mollo’s industry credits speak for themselves: he has contributed to major Hollywood productions including Encanto, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon — bringing a depth of cinematic, Disney, and entertainment industry expertise that elevates every collaboration. His ongoing partnership with DDT stands as a testament to the company’s ability to attract world-class creative talent to Washington, DC.

Dissonance Dance Theatre proudly maintains both ASCAP and BMI licenses annually, underscoring its unwavering commitment to the protection and celebration of musical works and their creators. DDT is always seeking new musical voices — solo artists, composers, and ensembles — to explore creative possibilities together. If you are interested in working with or alongside Dissonance Dance Theatre, please contact us at info@ddtdc.com with “Music Inquiry” in the subject line.