Biographical/historical: Janis Brenner (b. 1954) is an American dancer, singer, and choreographer. Brenner was born in Queens, New York and grew up in Long Island after moving there with her family as a small child. She has been based in New York City throughout her career. Before forming her own company called Janis Brenner & Dancers in the mid-1980s, Brenner danced with the Murray Louis Dance Company from 1977 to 1984. She has performed internationally and danced with or collaborated with Rudolf Nureyev, Plácido Domingo, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Theo Bleckmann, Meredith Monk and the Vocal Ensemble, JoAnna Mendl Shaw, Richard Siegel, Annabelle Gamson, Michael Moschen, and others. Themes in her work include the trauma and loss during the AIDS crisis, interpersonal relations, and humor.