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ABOUT US
ABOUT LEG UP ON LIFE
Leg Up On Life was established in November 2017 by founder, Daniel Gold. Originally, it was a one-day dance class series bringing several up-and-coming dance educators together to raise funds for Dancers Against Cancer. This one day event sparked into an idea of creating an arts initiative and community bringing artists from all walks of life together to raise funding for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC organizations that give back directly to our communities. Leg Up On Life is proud to have hosted artists from broadway, television shows, national tours, recording artists, DJs, visual artists, and many more.
With a desire to expand the vision, Leg Up On Life began to foster a community of inclusion by curating innovative collaborative experiences. Thus, “Queens For A Cause” was born-- a monthly cabaret style show that opened the doors for drag artists and musicians into the organization.
Leg Up On Life went on to produce larger scale events at Dixon Place, Hudson Terrace, Le Poisson Rouge, Sony Hall, and others.
In 2020, Leg Up On Life became an official 501(c)3 organization. In order to continue to empower artists is through direct funding and Leg Up On Life is proud to provide scholarship and grant programs. This financial support will allow artists to continue their endeavors in producing new work or within their arts education.
OUR MISSION
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Leg Up On Life is an artistic organization that strives to create an inclusive community through the performing and visual arts. Leg Up On Life’s events and shows promote artistic collaboration, while raising funds for organizations that directly aid the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Additionally, Leg Up On Life provides grants and scholarships to support queer identifying people in their artistic endeavors. Ultimately, Leg Up On Life’s support promotes the use of arts collaboration and activism to help further progress for human rights while bringing a source of light to all communities.
If you would like to take part in Leg Up On Life's mission, please visit our Submissions Page. All donations are tax-deductible and will directly help off-set costs of events, scholarships and awards.
LEG UP BOARD
Daniel Gold (They/Them/He/Him/She/Her)
Executive Director/Founder
Daniel Gold is a New York City based artist who has worked in many stretches of the arts world. He founded Leg Up On Life back in 2017 while continuing his active career. As a Choreographer he has worked on Off Broadway and Regional musical productions and for numerous pop artists and nightlife performers. Daniel has performed across the country on the First National Tour of Miss Saigon and Disney's Beauty and The Beast. As an instructor not only on faculty at STEPS On Broadway, Daniel is often brought in as a guest instructor around the NYC pick up studios and the country on convention faculties. Daniel is a proud human rights activist and member of LGBTQIA+ community which has led to his involvement in several benefit concerts as both a creative and performer outside of Leg Up On Life. Looking to continue the creation of an inclusive community he is ecstatic to stand as the head of Leg Up On Life and move forward to bring its mission to life!
Tiffany Toh (She/Her/Hers)
Developmental Committee Head
Tiffany was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur and is a proud Malaysian! With a passion for human rights, Tiffany moved to the US to study Political Science at the University at Buffalo. Prior to moving to New York, she spent some time in Washington DC as a campaign fundraising intern. Tiffany recently started volunteering with Vote Save America. Professional credits include, Broadway: Miss Saigon (OBC); National & International Tours: Miss Saigon, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, Disney's Beauty & the Beast; Other: Once Upon a One More Time (Sleeping Beauty), Legally Blonde (Pilar), South Pacific (Liat), The King and I, Lil' Kim Australia Tour (Back-up Dancer). So honored and proud to be part of this incredible organization!
Romello Rodriguez/Janae SaisQuoi (He/Him/She/Her)
Secretary
A native New Yorker, Romello Rodriguez/Janae SaisQuoi is a recent college graduate and newcomer in the NYC drag community. Out of drag Romello has worked with a variety of non profit organizations including the Fiver Children’s Foundation, and Broadway for All where he served as their Associate Summer Conservatory Director. In drag, as a member of the Haus of Cummings, Janae wholeheartedly believes that drag is political and seeks to impact people with her looks, platform, and performances. She hopes to provide a voice to underrepresented people and communities through her drag, and to be an artist who uses her platform to uplift and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Janae has pursued that mission through her work with Asylum Connect, Pride For Youth, Our Daily Feels, and is now the host of For The Culture at Alibi Lounge in Harlem. Recently Janae worked with Leg Up On Life in Queens for A Cause and is excited to be stepping into this new position and becoming more involved with the Leg Up On Life family.
Cody Andrus/Coco Taylor (He/Him/She/Her)
Treasurer
By day, Cody Andrus is the Associate Director of Marketing at Lincoln Center Theater. By night, Coco Taylor is the kindly and campy den mother of NYC. Cody's career spans almost 15 years in non-profit theatre including at Second Stage Theatre, the Vineyard Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club and for the past five years, LCT. He also serves as the Council President for Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish. Coco Taylor is a writer, producer and actress. She has performed at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in The Simsinz, as a host of Members Only Boylesque and in her own production of American Teen Princess, a Drop Dead Gorgeous drag parody. She performed on the Pridefest Stage at NYC/World Pride 2019 and was featured on VH1's Black Ink Crew. She has performed in Leg Up On Life's Night Of Life as well as several Queens For A Cause.
Michael Anthony Sylvester (He/Him/His)
Development Committee
Michael is thrilled to be joining the Leg Up On Life Development Committee! He was last seen in the finale of Queens for a Cause as well as Leg Up on Life’s first Virtual fundraiser during the pandemic. He is so excited to be joining the team and even more thrilled to be using his gifts to help create change and make a difference. Select Performance Credits include TV: MTV Movie Awards, Drive Fiat 500, DANCE MOMS, MTV's TODRICK Docuseries, Dancing Queen Netflix Tour: Todrick Halls, The Toddlers Ball FILM: Rising Stars REGIONAL: In the Heights (Walnut Street) ELF, The WIZ, Guys and Dolls (TUTS) Joseph (Dallas Theatre Center) West Side Story ( Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma) and many more. Select Choreography Credits include: Snow White, Rudolph World Premiere, Alamo the Musical, Alice in Wonderland for Casa Manana's Children's Conservatory as well as their Professional Children's Series. All Shook Up (Column Award Winner for Best Choreography) and the family friendly movie "RISING STAR'S" starring Kyle Riabko, Leon Thomas III, and featuring Rebecca St. James which is now available on Netflix and select stores. IG: @oohmikey