Instagram story viewer> @michaelnaffier> Tagged

michaelnaffier

@michaelnaffier

undefined

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Pandora’s Box - Michael Naffier and Cardin Chung

In collaboration with composer @michaelnaffier , Pandora’s Box is a dance-tech solo narrative on persistence, temptation, and acceptance. It features a self-engineered sensor box that creates musical responses according to the dancer’s proximity to it. Originally commissioned for the 2025 USC Widney Gala, it has been featured at the 2026 Flux Festival and the 2026 Woodworks Artist Residency.

- - -
A year ago Michael and I premiered this work. A year later, it’s a big reason I’m typing these words from Berlin!

Pandora’s Box was made with so much care and input from my friends. From bouncing ideas with @annglaviano and Michael at Week of Dance, to Michael, @daniel.mangiaracino & I having a music jam with the sensors, to my friends at Kaufman workshopping ideas with me, to Michael composing and dramaturging the piece, and to performing it. Again, and again, and again.

Every time we get to share it, I’m reminded over and over that it reaches people. That what Michael and I made was worth it. That the emotional and physical toll I go through every time was worth it. That beyond the tech, this piece meant something. That someone, somewhere, found themselves within it. And each time I hesitated to step on the stage, a friend, a stranger, and a mother fueled me. And I won’t let it go to waste.

Michael, I am so grateful for you as my partner-in-crime. Thank you for composing such a beautiful modulating musical narrative. Thank you for your dramaturge and reflection. And thank you for being such a goober with me. Michael and Cardin hugging

353

147

The One Hundred 9/18
dancing w my favs in LA/some of the best in LA
thank you @everlastingjade for capturing the vibe as always 😘

#dance #housemusic #housedance #clubbing #freestyle

56

2

And that is a wrap to Cohort 2 of the Passioneers Program! So amazing to have everyone to support our journey.

Through our program, our Passioneers were able to pinpoint their vision, write about their future and create a plan. Each Passioneer are long-standing changemakers in our goal with South Central Innovation.

Shoutout to our Passioneers @ceo.yicmak, @michaelsteelejr, @ayonnah.t and @abitofsilver. Our community is growing!

Interested in becoming a Passioneer? We will be recruiting for our Cohort 3 this fall!

71

1

mommy’s little meatball turns 25

mommy’s little meatball turns 25

mommy’s little meatball turns 25

you should’ve seen the reference photo

mommy’s little meatball turns 25

hit my lil dance you know

he’s alive <3

maybe one of the magical photos of me to exist

insane backflip 💯

395

55

Michael Jackson was / is unbelievable. The idea that we can host a party, strictly play his music for five hours straight and still not have enough time for it all is mind blowing. Even more incredible is how much his music has meant to all of us. This past Monday Nite was proof. Old and new, it all feels timeless. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, LA!

📸: @ervinaranaphotography

3

12

HOUSE WORKSHOP WITH @toyinsogunro

Born and raised in the D.M.V., Oluwatoyin “Toyin” is a dancer, educator, choreographer, and cultural ambassador of Black street and club styles. Widely respected as one of the leading house dancers of her generation, she has performed, won, and judged premier international competitions including Juste Debout, Summer Dance Forever, and I Love This Dance. As an internationally established artist, Toyin is committed to preserving and cultivating the authenticity of Hip Hop and club culture and their Black heritage. She is the creator and director of Nefer Global Movement, empowering women in Hip Hop through artistic excellence, sisterhood, and cultural celebration.

Thank you to our partners @usckaufman and @uscvandv

Photos by Michael Baker

19

2

sturtevant falls for my birthday x kings canyon for jennah’s!! 🪾🥾(circa june ’26)

89

9

lest we forget this is literally the point

218

30

I love playing “yes, and” with life 🌬️

Which is more your vibe — 1 or 2??
Tell me in the comments below ✨

~
My favorite deer mask made by my brother @samcampnelly 🦌

Missing my crewwww @subliminal.motion 🔥

•
•
•
#prayerformance #dance #freestyle #prayer #hiphop

184

19

Four years of meeting life-changing friends, slogging the 9ams, and SOOO many 0.5x selfies.

I'm obnoxiously grateful! :D Cardin holding hat and smiling

676

336

Here we have Michael Naffier, one of our inaugural Passioneers describing his vision and what he is working on today.

We each have something bright inside of us, and Michael is sharing his. We are a growing community, follow for more content.

#passioneer #podcast #FounderStory

8

0

We are starting a podcast with our Passioneers to showcase their visions and bring you along for the community journey!

Here Michael Naffier describes his vision and goal in building Atlas!

#passioneer #founder #education

16

0