Women Defining Themselves: A Benefit Concert for the ALS Center of Excellence

Watch a full recording of the multidisciplinary concert produced by the University of Michigan School of Dance in partnership with the ALS Center for Excellence.

This special evening celebrates women embracing their personal narratives of strength, resilience, loss, and self-expression while serving a noble cause — raising awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cutting-edge research and patient care at the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine.

The concert is directly inspired by the remarkable story of a dancer who was diagnosed with ALS at the young age of 44. Her passion for dance evolved into a powerful narrative of strength and self-definition, which serves as the heartbeat of the evening’s performances. The program culminates with a short documentary about the young woman’s own last dance.

“Women Defining Themselves” features a diverse lineup of more than 20 international dancers, singers, and musicians, as well as a pair of internationally-ranked ice dancers who share their unique art and expression through breathtaking performances. A reception will follow the event at the same venue to benefit the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine.