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Zazel-Chavah O’Garra

Panelist, Shaking Things Up in the Dance World

Zazel-Chavah O’Garra is a brain tumor survivor, disability advocate, social worker, dancer, actress, model, and founder and the visionary founder and Artistic Director of ZCO/DANCEPROJECT. Ms. O’Garra holds a Master’s degree in social work from Fordham University, and currently works with the Brain Injury Association of New York State and YAI/National Institute for people with disabilities where she serves as an adaptive dance instructor. Before founding the ZCO/DANCEPROJECT, Ms. O’Garra established a thriving career in the performing arts. Her body of work include performances on the concert stage, Broadway, Off-Broadway, European Tours, national commercials and magazine publications. including the covers of Essence Magazine. As a disabled artist her list of accomplishments include appearances on Dr. Oz, VSA-John F. Kennedy National Teaching Artist Fellowship, inaugural member of The White House Disability Liaison, and NYC Fashion Week. Her productions include in Inside/out voices of the disability community-Kennedy Center, This/Ability at Samuel Becket Theatre, Theatre Breaking Through Barriers-ART/NY, Secret Histories- NY, NJ public schools and Lincoln Center, Bodystorming Access at the Guggenheim Museum and Arts4All Florida. Additionally, she was a part of several performances, including livestreaming events with RESPECTABILITY, Disability Unite Festival, and Dance New Jersey. Awards include the Cityarts grant, NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant, Dance Advancement Fund Flushing Town Hall Queens Community Grant, Caribbean Impact Award and the Disability, Dance and Social Justice Fellowship. Ms. O’Garra is a member of SAG-AFTRA, Equity, Dance/NYC Disability Dance Force and is represented by Gamut talent management.