“Isabel von Rittberg is in the midst of defining an art form and all the vocabulary therein. She has, in fact, created a choreographer’s dream.”
— DONALD K. ATWOOD, World Dance Reviews
 
 

About

With AscenDance Project, founder and artistic director Isabel von Rittberg gives birth to a new genre of dance that fuses rock climbing, music and choreography performed on a vertical wall. Without ropes or suspension, dancers use sheer strength to overcome gravity with grace, beauty and artistic prowess. AscenDance Project has given numerous performances across the nation and received international recognition in 2010 when the company reached the semifinals of NBC’s America's Got Talent. Since then, AscenDance Project has performed in venues across the globe. In 2017, they performed at the Macky Auditorium for the 2017 TEDxBoulder.

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Happy Hannukah from all of us to you! #hanukkah #celebration #menorah #family #love #light #ascendanceproject #dancersofinstagram
Happy Hannukah from all of us to you! #hanukkah #celebration #menorah #family #love #light #ascendanceproject #dancersofinstagram
We're thankful for the project that brought us all together 💕 . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful
We're thankful for the project that brought us all together 💕 . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful
Jenna... "This year I'm thankful for being able to reside in a place packed with friends and family who inspire me to live an active, creative and beautiful life." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography
Jenna... "This year I'm thankful for being able to reside in a place packed with friends and family who inspire me to live an active, creative and beautiful life." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography
Gordon... "I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. I am thankful for fulfilling work and finding new challenges each day." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography
Gordon... "I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. I am thankful for fulfilling work and finding new challenges each day." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography
Kara... "This year I’m thankful for my family and friends, everyone is healthy and happy! I could not wish for anything more than that! 🙏🏼" . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography
Kara... "This year I’m thankful for my family and friends, everyone is healthy and happy! I could not wish for anything more than that! 🙏🏼" . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography
Chris... "This year I’m thankful for spaceship earth and the beautiful life on this planet, the sun and the water." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful
Chris... "This year I’m thankful for spaceship earth and the beautiful life on this planet, the sun and the water." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful
Isabel... "This year I'm thankful for my husband Pata and my pup Ennie. I'm grateful for the support and lightness they bring into my life." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful
Isabel... "This year I'm thankful for my husband Pata and my pup Ennie. I'm grateful for the support and lightness they bring into my life." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful
Our attempts of shaping a hold with an undercling and features that will allow for a whole new set of movements. It will be exciting to optimize and finalize our vision with the experts @nicrosclimbing #climbingholds #innovation #expressyourself #danseescalade
Our attempts of shaping a hold with an undercling and features that will allow for a whole new set of movements. It will be exciting to optimize and finalize our vision with the experts @nicrosclimbing #climbingholds #innovation #expressyourself #danseescalade
This little one was very helpful while shaping our new climbing hold. Thank you for your vision @grahamgh @audwhee1 @walldancer @jennablu #mascot #ascendanceproject #dogsofinstagram
This little one was very helpful while shaping our new climbing hold. Thank you for your vision @grahamgh @audwhee1 @walldancer @jennablu #mascot #ascendanceproject #dogsofinstagram
Sipping wine and making climbing holds. Us dancers putting our heads together to try and figure out our newest shape for the next AscenDance Climbing Hold. FYI this one will have an undercling! @nicrosclimbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #training #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade
This is what happens #backstage: @kara_masaki doing #dogtherapy with Eenie our #mascot #dogsofinstagram
This is what happens #backstage: @kara_masaki doing #dogtherapy with Eenie our #mascot #dogsofinstagram
United we stand, divided we fall. Some walls are built to divide, ours was designed to unite #UNday #GlobalGoals #StandUp4HumanRights #AscenDanceProject
United we stand, divided we fall. Some walls are built to divide, ours was designed to unite #UNday #GlobalGoals #StandUp4HumanRights #AscenDanceProject
There is nothing more therapeutic than organizing #costumes
There is nothing more therapeutic than organizing #costumes
Clear eyes. Clear vision. Artistic Director Isabel von Rittberg moves forward with another big project. #adptruck stay tuned.
Clear eyes. Clear vision. Artistic Director Isabel von Rittberg moves forward with another big project. #adptruck stay tuned.
Shapes on a wall. Synchronicity comes from connection. @jennablu and @walldancer feeling this. . . . #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #training #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade
Shapes on a wall. Synchronicity comes from connection. @jennablu and @walldancer feeling this. . . . #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #training #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade
“Magic happens when a group of people collectively channel their positivity, silliness and passion into a project, and we certainly did this not just over the past two days, but during our many months of rehearsal! Here’s to many more performances with you all!” (Jenna Blumenfeld, Dancer) . . . #ascendanceproject #stunt #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade #performance #strength #grace #beauty #express #love
“Magic happens when a group of people collectively channel their positivity, silliness and passion into a project, and we certainly did this not just over the past two days, but during our many months of rehearsal! Here’s to many more performances with you all!” (Jenna Blumenfeld, Dancer) . . . #ascendanceproject #stunt #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade #performance #strength #grace #beauty #express #love
This Is what goes down #backstage @denverpremoutlets 📸 @patatrotteyn @grahamgh @kara_masaki @jennablu @walldancer @circuschris88 . . . #ascendanceproject #dance #performance #show #express #love
After a show it's all smiles from the group. Huge thank you to the @denverpremoutlets for having us. Thank you to all the people who came out to see us family, friends, new fans! #ascendanceproject #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #shopdenverpo #expression #art #stunt #flex #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #verticaldance #aerialdance #gymnastics #show #performance #lovemovement #health #fitness
After a show it's all smiles from the group. Huge thank you to the @denverpremoutlets for having us. Thank you to all the people who came out to see us family, friends, new fans! #ascendanceproject #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #shopdenverpo #expression #art #stunt #flex #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #verticaldance #aerialdance #gymnastics #show #performance #lovemovement #health #fitness
Come out and see the finale @denverpremoutlets at 6:15. You won't want to miss this!!! #ascendanceproject #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #shopdenverpo #expression #art #stunt #flex #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #verticaldance #aerialdance #gymnastics #show #performance #lovemovement #health #fitness
Come see our performance @denverpremoutlets at 2:15, 4:15, 5:15 #ascendanceproject #shopdenverpo #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #performance #expression #liveclimbrepeat #rockclimbing #climbing #health #fitness #art #professionaldancer #show #denvercolorado #bouldercolorado
Come see our performance @denverpremoutlets at 2:15, 4:15, 5:15 #ascendanceproject #shopdenverpo #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #performance #expression #liveclimbrepeat #rockclimbing #climbing #health #fitness #art #professionaldancer #show #denvercolorado #bouldercolorado
Happy Hannukah from all of us to you! #hanukkah #celebration #menorah #family #love #light #ascendanceproject #dancersofinstagram We're thankful for the project that brought us all together 💕 . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful Jenna... "This year I'm thankful for being able to reside in a place packed with friends and family who inspire me to live an active, creative and beautiful life." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography Gordon... "I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. I am thankful for fulfilling work and finding new challenges each day." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography Kara... "This year I’m thankful for my family and friends, everyone is healthy and happy! I could not wish for anything more than that! 🙏🏼" . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful 📸@fracturedframephotography Chris... "This year I’m thankful for spaceship earth and the beautiful life on this planet, the sun and the water." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful Isabel... "This year I'm thankful for my husband Pata and my pup Ennie. I'm grateful for the support and lightness they bring into my life." . . . #thanksgivng #turkeyday #givethanks #dancer #dance #lovemovement #acrobatics #ascendanceproject #thankful Our attempts of shaping a hold with an undercling and features that will allow for a whole new set of movements. It will be exciting to optimize and finalize our vision with the experts @nicrosclimbing #climbingholds #innovation #expressyourself #danseescalade This little one was very helpful while shaping our new climbing hold. Thank you for your vision @grahamgh @audwhee1 @walldancer @jennablu #mascot #ascendanceproject #dogsofinstagram
Sipping wine and making climbing holds. Us dancers putting our heads together to try and figure out our newest shape for the next AscenDance Climbing Hold. FYI this one will have an undercling! @nicrosclimbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #training #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade
This is what happens #backstage: @kara_masaki doing #dogtherapy with Eenie our #mascot #dogsofinstagram United we stand, divided we fall. Some walls are built to divide, ours was designed to unite #UNday #GlobalGoals #StandUp4HumanRights #AscenDanceProject There is nothing more therapeutic than organizing #costumes Clear eyes. Clear vision. Artistic Director Isabel von Rittberg moves forward with another big project. #adptruck stay tuned. Shapes on a wall. Synchronicity comes from connection. @jennablu and @walldancer feeling this. . . . #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #training #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade “Magic happens when a group of people collectively channel their positivity, silliness and passion into a project, and we certainly did this not just over the past two days, but during our many months of rehearsal! Here’s to many more performances with you all!” (Jenna Blumenfeld, Dancer) . . . #ascendanceproject #stunt #acrobatics #aerialdance #verticaldance #danseescalade #performance #strength #grace #beauty #express #love
This Is what goes down #backstage @denverpremoutlets 📸 @patatrotteyn @grahamgh @kara_masaki @jennablu @walldancer @circuschris88 . . . #ascendanceproject #dance #performance #show #express #love
After a show it's all smiles from the group. Huge thank you to the @denverpremoutlets for having us. Thank you to all the people who came out to see us family, friends, new fans! #ascendanceproject #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #shopdenverpo #expression #art #stunt #flex #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #verticaldance #aerialdance #gymnastics #show #performance #lovemovement #health #fitness
Come out and see the finale @denverpremoutlets at 6:15. You won't want to miss this!!! #ascendanceproject #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #shopdenverpo #expression #art #stunt #flex #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #verticaldance #aerialdance #gymnastics #show #performance #lovemovement #health #fitness
Come see our performance @denverpremoutlets at 2:15, 4:15, 5:15 #ascendanceproject #shopdenverpo #denverpremiumoutlets . . . . #dance #performance #expression #liveclimbrepeat #rockclimbing #climbing #health #fitness #art #professionaldancer #show #denvercolorado #bouldercolorado
 

News

Featured
The Ascent of AscenDance | YellowScene Magazine

Boulder-local Isabel von Rittberg is both a dancer and a rock climber, and she remembers the precise moment, during a drive to Montana to visit her Grandmother, that she first thought of combining the two disciplines. “I was driving through the Virgin River Gorge in Utah, listening to music and looking at the towering rock walls, and I had a vision so clear and so strong that there was no way I could have ignored it,” she says. “I told my Grandma, ‘I’m going to build a climbing wall and dance on it.’”

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AscenDance Project at TEDx Boulder

Ascendance Project was thrilled to perform at TEDxBoulder this year! Working from the event’s theme of “Climate & Change,” this piece is choreographed to highlight our country’s modern divisions, and demonstrate how love is the key to understanding and union. Don’t build walls. Dance on them.

Link to Video

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AscenDance: A Fusion of Climbing, Music and Dance | UK Climbing

By Natalie Berry

A video has been doing the rounds on social media recently - receiving over 26,000 views so far - featuring a troupe of dancers using a climbing wall as an apparatus upon which to choreograph a dance routine. Isabel Rittberg is the founder, artistic director and a dancer within the group AscenDance - based in Boulder, Colorado in the United States.

Combining climbing moves, dance elements and music, Isabel has created a new art form which focusses on the more graceful and gymnastic aspects of climbing - there's no grunting or powerscreaming here!

I asked Isabel a few questions about her project...

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