“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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@grahamgh and @kara_masaki chasing the drift while the hail came down. #badass #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #fitness #training #acrobatics #aerialdance
It was one of those magical #rehearsals filled with #creativity and #excitement @jennablu @kara_masaki @circuschris88 @walldancer @onenonlymlp making progress on #newworld #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #aerialdance
A glimpse into a ‘New World’ @jennablu @circuschris88 @kara_masaki #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerial-dance
Long limbs, strong body. @circuschris88 effortlessly kicking into a handstand flag. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance #flag #strength #handstand
A surprise audience came to view tonight’s rehearsal! #catsofinstagram #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
A surprise audience came to view tonight’s rehearsal! #catsofinstagram #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
Tick Tock the clock is ticking. Getting our butts back into the studio. Great session today with @walldancer and @jennablu #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
@circuschris88 doing the roll. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
Welcome our furriest member to the AscenDance family. Eenie can’t wait to great you at our next show. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance #dogsofinstagram #barketingdirector
Welcome our furriest member to the AscenDance family. Eenie can’t wait to great you at our next show. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance #dogsofinstagram #barketingdirector
Thank you @odm_2.0 for the wonderful write-up in the @yellowscenemagazine http://yellowscene.com/2017/11/28/the-ascent-of-ascendance-yellow-scene/ #boulder #dance #climb
Thank you @odm_2.0 for the wonderful write-up in the @yellowscenemagazine http://yellowscene.com/2017/11/28/the-ascent-of-ascendance-yellow-scene/ #boulder #dance #climb
When we can trust ourselves and let go of our grip, freedom happens...and love follows. #dance #climbing #love @walldancer @circuschris88
When we can trust ourselves and let go of our grip, freedom happens...and love follows. #dance #climbing #love @walldancer @circuschris88
#ascendanceproject #germany #berlin #travel #connect #climbing #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
#ascendanceproject #germany #berlin #travel #connect #climbing #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
Our hearts go out to all those affected by violence in Catalonia, Las Vegas and too many more places. I was born in a country divided by a wall. Then there was union. I dream of a world, where we dance on the walls that divide us. @jennablu bringing light into this world 📸 @jivanlwestphoto #love #dance #dream
Our hearts go out to all those affected by violence in Catalonia, Las Vegas and too many more places. I was born in a country divided by a wall. Then there was union. I dream of a world, where we dance on the walls that divide us. @jennablu bringing light into this world 📸 @jivanlwestphoto #love #dance #dream
Sometimes we need to go inward; We curl up to unfold. Cycles allow us to find new #inspiration. Thank you for this beautiful shot @jivanlwestphoto #climbing #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
Sometimes we need to go inward; We curl up to unfold. Cycles allow us to find new #inspiration. Thank you for this beautiful shot @jivanlwestphoto #climbing #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
It feels empowering to be on the wall with the entire troupe. Together we can make a difference. We create the world we live in. This is the #newworld @tedxboulder
It feels empowering to be on the wall with the entire troupe. Together we can make a difference. We create the world we live in. This is the #newworld @tedxboulder
We measure #success with money, fame and recognition. But what moves me to tears when I'm on stage is not the possibility of fame. It's gratitude, vulnerability and the deep connection I feel with my audience. I dance because music moves me. I perform because I want to show the beauty of climbing. I step on stage hoping that my audience might feel something. As a child, I believed that, one day, I would arrive. I would achieve success. I know that self-motivation has taken me far. But to me, success is not just a moment on stage, it's connecting with others. And touching one person’s heart is the most valuable currency I own. Thank you @tedxboulder for this amazing #opportunity. #love #dance #climbing #performance
We measure #success with money, fame and recognition. But what moves me to tears when I'm on stage is not the possibility of fame. It's gratitude, vulnerability and the deep connection I feel with my audience. I dance because music moves me. I perform because I want to show the beauty of climbing. I step on stage hoping that my audience might feel something. As a child, I believed that, one day, I would arrive. I would achieve success. I know that self-motivation has taken me far. But to me, success is not just a moment on stage, it's connecting with others. And touching one person’s heart is the most valuable currency I own. Thank you @tedxboulder for this amazing #opportunity. #love #dance #climbing #performance
Deeply moved by tonight's performance @tedxboulder Very grateful for the opportunity to connect with our local #community #boulder #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness
Deeply moved by tonight's performance @tedxboulder Very grateful for the opportunity to connect with our local #community #boulder #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness
Wall is up. We are ready. @tedxboulder Thank you so much for all your help today @circuschris88 @animallaplante @patatrotteyn @grahamgh #mackyauditorium #adreamcometrue
Wall is up. We are ready. @tedxboulder Thank you so much for all your help today @circuschris88 @animallaplante @patatrotteyn @grahamgh #mackyauditorium #adreamcometrue
Watching #rehearsal videos, aiming for #perfection. This is the fun part. #details make the difference. @kara_masaki @jennablu @circuschris88 @grahamgh @walldancer getting ready for @tedxboulder #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
Watching #rehearsal videos, aiming for #perfection. This is the fun part. #details make the difference. @kara_masaki @jennablu @circuschris88 @grahamgh @walldancer getting ready for @tedxboulder #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
Best birthday present ever: #rehearsal with @circuschris88 Come to @tedxboulder to see more! 😁 #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness
Get ready to watch @grahamgh @circuschris88 to ultime classic #vivaldi @tedxboulder
@grahamgh and @kara_masaki chasing the drift while the hail came down. #badass #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #fitness #training #acrobatics #aerialdance
It was one of those magical #rehearsals filled with #creativity and #excitement @jennablu @kara_masaki @circuschris88 @walldancer @onenonlymlp making progress on #newworld #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #acrobatics #aerialdance
A glimpse into a ‘New World’ @jennablu @circuschris88 @kara_masaki #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerial-dance
Long limbs, strong body. @circuschris88 effortlessly kicking into a handstand flag. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance #flag #strength #handstand
A surprise audience came to view tonight’s rehearsal! #catsofinstagram #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
Tick Tock the clock is ticking. Getting our butts back into the studio. Great session today with @walldancer and @jennablu #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
@circuschris88 doing the roll. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance
Welcome our furriest member to the AscenDance family. Eenie can’t wait to great you at our next show. #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #liveclimbrepeat #aecrobatics #aerialdance #dogsofinstagram #barketingdirector Thank you @odm_2.0 for the wonderful write-up in the @yellowscenemagazine http://yellowscene.com/2017/11/28/the-ascent-of-ascendance-yellow-scene/ #boulder #dance #climb When we can trust ourselves and let go of our grip, freedom happens...and love follows. #dance #climbing #love @walldancer @circuschris88 #ascendanceproject #germany #berlin #travel #connect #climbing #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training Our hearts go out to all those affected by violence in Catalonia, Las Vegas and too many more places. I was born in a country divided by a wall. Then there was union. I dream of a world, where we dance on the walls that divide us. @jennablu bringing light into this world 📸 @jivanlwestphoto #love #dance #dream Sometimes we need to go inward; We curl up to unfold. Cycles allow us to find new #inspiration. Thank you for this beautiful shot @jivanlwestphoto #climbing #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training It feels empowering to be on the wall with the entire troupe. Together we can make a difference. We create the world we live in. This is the #newworld @tedxboulder We measure #success with money, fame and recognition. But what moves me to tears when I'm on stage is not the possibility of fame. It's gratitude, vulnerability and the deep connection I feel with my audience. I dance because music moves me. I perform because I want to show the beauty of climbing. I step on stage hoping that my audience might feel something. As a child, I believed that, one day, I would arrive. I would achieve success. I know that self-motivation has taken me far. But to me, success is not just a moment on stage, it's connecting with others. And touching one person’s heart is the most valuable currency I own. Thank you @tedxboulder for this amazing #opportunity. #love #dance #climbing #performance Deeply moved by tonight's performance @tedxboulder Very grateful for the opportunity to connect with our local #community #boulder #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness Wall is up. We are ready. @tedxboulder Thank you so much for all your help today @circuschris88 @animallaplante @patatrotteyn @grahamgh #mackyauditorium #adreamcometrue Watching #rehearsal videos, aiming for #perfection. This is the fun part. #details make the difference. @kara_masaki @jennablu @circuschris88 @grahamgh @walldancer getting ready for @tedxboulder #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness #training
Best birthday present ever: #rehearsal with @circuschris88 Come to @tedxboulder to see more! 😁 #climbing #ascendanceproject #stunt #walldancer #dance #flex #fitness
Get ready to watch @grahamgh @circuschris88 to ultime classic #vivaldi @tedxboulder
 

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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