Irena Yin is a contemporary and ballet dancer based in Los Angeles, New York, and Shanghai.
Raised in Shanghai and shaped by a multicultural background, she moves with a global blend of artistry. Irena graduated from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance with a BFA in Dance, where she broadened her movement by exploring various concert and social dance styles. At USC Kaufman, she performed works by choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Leïla Ka, Jillian Meyers, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Houston Thomas, Justin Peck, and Christopher Wheeldon.
As a choreographic storyteller, Irena takes inspiration from the fleeting moments of daily life. She views choreography through the lens of fashion and production design. In addition to presenting choreography at USC, Irena co-led a project for the Trinity Laban x USC Kaufman CoLab, a week-long collaboration between music and dance.
TRAINING & EDUCATION
USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance (2022-2026)Springboard Danse 2025
Flock Works Summer Intensive 2025
Jacob Jonas The Company Summer Intensive 2025
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Whereabouts Unknown (excerpt)Jiří Kylián, staged by Fiona Lummis
C'est toi qu'on adore
Leïla Ka
Within The Golden Hour (excerpt)
Christopher Wheeldon, staged by Garen Scribner
Glorious Gains
Darrell Grand Moultrie
Primary Objectives
Jillian Meyers
In Creases (excerpt)Justin Peck, staged by Michael Breeden
A Journey of Love
Tessandra Chavez
CHOREOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE
[IN-BETWEEN] (2024)Shrinking Spaces (2024)
In collaboration with Tyler Chang and Rhaine Marquardt
Original music composition by Gibson Mahnke
professionals (generic) (2023)
Credits: Rose Eichenbaum, Lee Gumbs