IDC Presents: Memento Mori

Contents Acknowledgements…………..................................2 Isthmus Dance Collective…………........................4 Survey/Review.......................................................5 Program………………………………………….......6 Artists Bios........……………………………….........16 Production Team.........……………………….….... 25 Upcoming Events........……………………….….... 26

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Acknowledgements The Isthmus Dance Collective would like to thank Dane Arts for contributing to fund this event. This project is supported

by Dane County Arts with additional funds from the Endres Mfg.Company Foundation, The Evjue Foundation, Inc., charitable arm of The Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation."

IDC would also like to thank our generous private donors and all of the volunteers who worked to bring this performance to you.

If you are interested in making a financial contribution or if you are looking for volunteering opportunities, please visit our website www.isthmusdancecollective.org/contribute

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Land Acknowledgement As members of the Isthmus Dance Collective, we recognize that we live, work, and dance on stolen Native land. We recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. We acknowledge the original inhabitants and caretakers of this land: Primarily the HoChunk, as well as the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Myaamia, Sauk, Meskwaki, Peoria, and Kiikaapoi people who were forcibly removed from the region.

“To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honoring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is also worth noting that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol.”

–http://www.lspirg.org/knowtheland

You can read more about land acknowledgement and nd out what land you occupy on https://native-land.ca

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About the Isthmus Dance Collective Isthmus Dance Collective (IDC) aims to provide greater access to dance opportunities on the individual, inter-organizational, and community levels in ways that are sustainable for the artists and high impact for the arts community in the Madison area and beyond. Members of IDC work cooperatively in a non-hierarchical manner to provide accessible and inclusive dance education and outreach, performances, and to promote dance dialogue in the community.

The IDC Model The Isthmus Dance Collective is a cooperatively organized nonprofit organization. Our collective is modeled on a hybrid of several types of cooperative or collective organizational structures, primarily a consumer and a worker cooperative. IDC members contribute to the operations of the organization, monetarily and through service work.The pooling of our resources allows us to provide our member artists with better access to rehearsal space, physical training, continued education, music, insurance, and more. It also creates a space for dance artists in our community to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and push the art of dance to develop in ways that serve the betterment of ourselves, the community, and the world.

As a democratically-run collective, all of our members have an equal say and an equal vote. We are dedicated to listening and to a mindset for continually re-evaluating whether all of our members are being seen and heard. This micro-culture is an important part of our decision-making, our commitment to diversity, and our desire to collaborate.

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Audience Survey

Dance Enthusiast Audience Review

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PROGRAM

MEMENTO MORI

Aztec Ceremony i. Ceremony ii. Presentation iii. Fire dance iv. Mother dance v. White eagle Choreography: Carlos Ramírez Music: Traditional/Public Domain Dancers: José Luis Perez Olguin, Yuriza Leonperalta Costumes: Carlos Ramírez

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Visitation Choreography: Malachi Squires Music: Kodaly Cello Sonata no. 8 1st movement Rachmaninov Sonata in G minor for cello and piano op.19 3rd movement, 6 Romances Op.4 no.3, and Morceaux de Fantaisie Op. 3 no.1 Dancers: Shannon Quirk, Malachi Squires, Janel Hutchison, Jacob Brooks

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Saudade Choreography: Juan Carlos Díaz Vélez Music: Ólafur Arnalds Dancers: Megan Chiu Costume consultation: Amy Panganiban "The presence of absence" An intimate feeling and mood caused by the longing for something absent that is being missed ❋❋❋

Farruca Choreography: Danica Sena Music: José Galván & Manuela Ríos Dancer: Juan Carlos Díaz Vélez Program Note: Farruca ([faˈruka]) is a recent form of flamenco whose origin is attributed to the province of Galicia, in the north of Spain. It is traditionally sung and danced by men though increasingly, there are many female flamenco dancers who also perform the farruca. ❋❋❋ 10

Swimming Choreography: Libby Westra Music: Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens Performer: Libby Westra ❋❋❋

Passage of Memories Direction: Amy Slater Original music composed and performed by Alex Bassi Live performers: Amy Slater and Alex Bassi Video choreographer and performers: Katherine Bleyl, Aubry Dally, Maureen Janson Heintz, Alyssa Jendusa, Erica Pinigis, Amy Slater, Tania Tandias

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10 MIN PAUSE

Bruja & Gavilancito Choreography: Carlos Ramirez Music: Tlen Huicani, Traditional Dancers: José Luis Perez Olguin, Yuriza Leonperalta Costumes: Carlos Ramírez ❋❋❋

The Other Side Music: Somnium Music Performers: Jess Courtier, Suzanna Daly, Cynthia Bachhuber, Erica Pinigis, Libby Westra, Mackenzie Dunn, Stephanie Speicher Program note: choreographed in collaboration with the performers, the other side imagines that our lost loved ones are watching us walk through the journey of grief. ❋❋❋ 13

Sorry. Who killed the angels?

Music: Original music performed live by Timothy Russell Projection by Liz Sexe Costume concept by Liz Sexe Performers: Liz Sexe, Tim Russell Program note: Sorry. Who killed the angels? is part of a longer immersive work that will be performed in the spring of 2023.

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Parenthood Suite Choreography: Erica Pinigis Dancers: Alyssa Jendusa, Luella Shapiro, Emily Shelton, and Sarah Wolf Costumes: Erica Pinigis

Hope Suspended (premiered 2019, restaged with aerial collaboration 2022) Music:

by Nicholas Vasilakes, performed by Nicholas Vasilakes, Erica Pinigis, and Zosime Isadora Pinigis

i. Interdependence ii. Mid-Night Anxiety iii. Visions of Future Joy

Continued on next page...

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Continued

Bask (premiered 2022) i. Twins In Utero / Zosime Solo ii. Startle Reflex iii. Sibling Romp Music: Andrew Bird (with edits by Erica Pinigis):: Down Under the Hyperion Bridge, The Green Heron, Lazuli Buntin Program Note:Hope Suspended is a piece I made in early 2019 after the birth of my first child. I was flooded with a mix of love, wonder in the complete trust and fearlessness she displayed, and anxiety that was worse than I had the ability to comprehend. This piece is an expression of the battle I felt inside over the extreme emotional juxtapositions I was experiencing. Bask I made earlier this year after the birth of my twins.

Originally the skateboards were used as a potential vehicle for creating a grassy landscape that could change throughout the piece, but as things developed and our use of the skateboards expanded, our ability to use the grass set pieces I created became increasingly difficult and my attachment to that visual component faded. Bask takes inspiration from the movement and imagery of my three children - the way the twins snuggled as wombmates, Zosime meeting them and kissing them goodnight, Zosime’s improvised dances, the startle reflex, learning to crawl, and seeing the three of them delight in playing together. ❋❋❋ 16

Featured Artists

© Matthew Resenhoeft

Carlos Ramírez-Araujo Born in Mexico City, Carlos began dancing at the age of six at the Ballet Folklorico Vicente Guerrero school run by Marcial Cortez under the tutelage of Professor Jose Ramon Mendoza. A er several years, he began to specialize in Mexican dances and tradi ons. He took courses of di erent choreographers like Lino Ortega, Antonio Baeza, Aaron Nolasco, Ana Maria Garza, Rafael Zamarripa, among others. At the age of 16, Mr. Ramirez-Araujo began to dance professionally with the "Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Mexico". At the same me, Carlos began his training in classical ballet and modern dance at the school of "Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez" as well as the "Ballet Te a t ro d e l E s p a c i o " d i re c t e d b y G l a d i o l a O rozc o a n d " B a l l e t Independiente" under the direc on of Magnolia Flores. In Mexico Carlos has worked professionally in di erent produc ons and dance companies as dancer, choreographer, costume designer, set design and technical assistance. In the United States, Mr. Ramirez-Araujo has had the privilege of dancing in dance companies such as Dance Wisconsin (Nutcracker Produc on) Call for Peace Dance & Drums Company as dancer, Madison Children's Theater as Choreographer and Kanopy Dance Company as Dancer and Choreographer.

Carlos also par cipated as a guest ar st in other companies such as Tania Tandias Flamenco Dance company and Madison Opera. Carlos also had the honor of working with renowned choreographers and directors such as Mar n Løfsnes Director of 360 Dance Company (Martha Graham Dance Company former principal dancer) and Amit Lahav Director of Gecko Theater company (physical theater in England) ti

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Jose Luis Perez Olguin Jose Luis had been involve in Mexican folkloric dance since elementary school. He enjoy dance and all outdoor ac vi es. Jose enjoys dancing Mexican tradi onal dances to connect with his roots and show people about my culture. “I hope I can educate, transmit & impulse to the new genera ons and help them connect with their roots, through my art”

Yuriza Leonperalta Yuriza is a junior in high school. She started dancing at the age of 3 ballet, tap jazz & She started learning Mexican tradi onal dance since 6 years old with Carlos Ramirez at DanzTrad. “My Father is from Mexico & a my Mother from Peru, so I feel proud and more connected with the Mexican culture and with my roots trough dance” ti

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Jacob Brooks El A Chicago na ve, Ashley began his dance training at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. He studied at Columbia College Chicago's modern dance program, later becoming a second company member for Gus Giordano Dance and an appren ce with Luna Negra Dance Theater. Ashley also a ended Ballet Chicago under the tutelage of Daniel Duel and Patricia Blair. Ashley has danced with such companies as the West Indian Folk Dance Company, Momenta, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Fes val Ballet, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Les Ballet Grandiva, Madison Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Jo rey Ballet of Chicago, and San Diego Opera.

Ashley is now School Director of Madison Ballet.

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Shannon Quirk A southern California native, Shannon Quirk began her training with Orange County Regional Ballet and continued her studies at UC, Irvine earning a BFA in Dance Performance – performing featured parts in William Forsythe’s Artifact Suite and In The Middle Somewhat Elevated and have original works created on her by Jodie Gates and Molly Lynch. Upon graduation, she joined Madison Ballet.

Ms. Quirk has performed lead roles in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Donizetti Variations, Elegié, Four Temperaments, Rubies, Serenade, Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, Who Cares?, Diana and Acteon Pas De Deux, Christopher Wheeldon’s The American, This Bitter Earth, and W. Earle Smith’s Cinderella, Dracula: A Rock Ballet, and The Nutcracker.

She has had the pleasure to be a performer with Avant Chamber Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Detroit Dance City Festival, UW Madison’s Dance Department 90th Anniversary Celebration and Summer Solstice Invitational, and ICMOVEMENT Project based in Washington D.C. 21

Janel Meindersee Growing up in Washington State, Janel Meindersee began her professional dance career at Oregon Ballet Theatre, where she danced as an apprentice for one season before joining Nevada Ballet Theatre as a company artist in 2009. After dancing in Nevada for two seasons, Meindersee went on to join the Milwaukee Ballet in 2011. Under the direction of Michael Pink, Meindersee had the honor of performing classical, contemporary, and world premier works by both local and international choreographers. After 7 seasons in Milwaukee, Meindersee moved to Madison in 2018 to pursue her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin– Madison. Meindersee graduated with her Bachelor of Science in 2021 and now continues her UW–Madison education as a master’s student in the School of Human Ecology. Meindersee continues to perform ballet locally, as well as explore her artistic voice through collaborations with local artists and choreographers.

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© Tracy Frugoli

Malachi Squires Originally from Hamilton, MT, Malachi Squires trained at the Houston Ballet Academy and Marin Dance Theater. Mr. Squires’ professional credits include performing with Les Grandiva Ballets in New York City, Seoul, and a 70 city tour of Japan. This engagement also included an appearance on na onal television in the leading male roles in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and Sleeping Beauty. Addi onally, Mr. Squires has danced for Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, Paul Sanasardo, EZ Credit Dance Theater, Lawrence Pech Dance Company, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. His guest engagements include the Chicago Civic Ballet, Hilton Head Dance Theater, Rochester Dance Company, and Marin Dance Theater. He joined Madison Ballet in 2018.

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Mr. Squires’ performance experience includes Four Last Songs and West Side Stories, and An American Portrait, Day of the Gypsy by Gordon Pierce Schmidt, Brigadoon with the Goodman Theater in Chicago, RPM Produc on's La Journees de Tsiganees and An American Portrait, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago produc ons of Carmen and La Clemenza di Tito.

Mr. Squires choreographic career includes commissions for Mesopotamia Night Chicago, Dance in the Parks Chicago, Bi eroot Dance Academy, Dance Drama Collabora ve, 12 Min. Max Dance Fes val, and the Houston Ar st of the Year Awards. As a teacher, he has been associated with Joel Hall Dance Center, Minnesota Youth Ballet, numerous Chicagoland ballet schools, and the Houston Arts in Educa on Program.

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Megan Chiu Originally from Chicago, IL, Megan Chiu trained at Chicago Mul -Cultural Dance Center under Homer Hans Bryant and a ended Chicago High School for the Arts. She recently graduated from Point Park University where she received her BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Management.

While at Point Park, Megan had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, Jessica Lang, Jae Man Joo, and Edwaard Liang, as well as performing lead roles in the ballets such as Swan Lake, Raymonda, and Cinderella. Megan a ended summer programs including Dance Theatre of Harlem, BalletMet, Grand Rapids Ballet, and more. Megan currently dances with Madison Ballet.

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Danica Sena Interna onally-acclaimed Master amenco and Spanish dance teacher/choreographer/performer Danica Sena has been a proud faculty member of ODC School/Rhythm & Mo on since 2004. Her intrinsic cultural understanding of the art she imparts combined with a unique methodology and passion for teaching has made her one of the most-solicited in her eld. Her talents have taken her to Spain (where she resided for a decade), Japan, Mexico, Czech Republic, Hawaii and to all states of the con nental U.S. She has created and performed over 200 original works for television, independent lm and stage. Her exquisite musicality coupled with extensive and eclec c movement, instrumental and vocal training have landed her collabora ons with companies such as Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Kansas City Ballet, Mar nez Opera, MusicSources, Oregon Ballet Theatre, HP Pavillion. Ms. Sena is the founder and ar s c director of Andanza Spanish Arts, resident choreographer/stage director for "Her Rebel Highness", ODC School's Youth Flamenco instructor. She also acts as adjunct faculty member of Dominican University and University of San Francisco.

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© Maureen Janson

Juan Carlos Díaz Vélez Juan Carlos began his dance training in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he studied under several teachers including Carmen Sandoval, Lucila Arce, Helen Hoth, and Alex Zybin. He later studied at the San Francisco and Paci c Northwest Ballet schools and was o ered an appren ceship with the American Fes val Ballet at age 17. He then returned to Guadalajara where he danced with Ballet de Cámara de Jalisco before joining the Spokane Ballet as a soloist. In 1989, he joined the Eugene Ballet Company as a soloist and rose through the ranks to become a principal dancer. He has also performed as a principal dancer with Charleston Ballet Theater, and Ballet Idaho. He has toured interna onally throughout Mexico, United States, Canada, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia and Taiwan. Juan Carlos has worked with renowned ar sts including Christopher Aponte, Toni Pimble, Jill Eathorne Bahr, Lisa de Ribere, Elisa Monte, Beth Corning, Lynne Taylor-Corbe , David Berkey, Pascal Riult, and Mar n Løfsnes. In 1997, Juan Carlos returned to college to study physics and computer science at Boise State University while performing with Idaho Dance Theater. He later earned a Ph.D. in physics from University of Guadalajara and currently works for the Wisconsin IceCube Par cle and Astrophysics Center at UW-Madison. In 2007, Juan Carlos returned to the stage, exploring other forms of dance including contemporary, modern, Mexican folklore, and amenco, performing with a number of local groups.

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©Kurt Loeffler

Erica Pinigis Erica Pinigis started dancing as a teen then went on to receive her BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota. A er gradua ng, she produced and choreographed “Ooh La Lounge: An Evening of Dance and Jazz” at the Suburban World Theater and the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. She was curated by the Red Eye Theater for her collabora on with Erinn Liebhard: Lulladreams and Insomnimares, and was an Ar st in Residence at the Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Arts. Erica has performed in Madison and Minneapolis with the Kanopy Dance Company, Peel and Core Dance Company, University Dance Theater, Zenon Block E performance group, the Eclec c Edge Ensemble, and Marylee Hardenbergh’s Global Site Performance. Erica migrated to the Bay Area where she was a company member of Facing East Dance & Music, Paco Gomes & Dancers, the Natasha Carlitz Dance Ensemble, Slick Babble Dance Project, H2O Dance, and Bianca Cabrera’s Blind Tiger Society. Erica completed her MFA in performance and choreography at Mills College and was honored with the E.L Wiegand award for excellence in performance and choreography.

Since returning to Madison, Erica and several colleagues founded the Isthmus Dance Collec ve, a non-pro t coopera vely run organiza on that supports dance ar sts.

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Liz Sexe Liz Sexe’s work as a movement ar st is grounded in the belief that performance is a mode of sharing perspec ve through embodied experience. In 2019 she received the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of the Arts Edna Wiechers Arts in Wisconsin Award where she produced Un tled: for the sake of progress which was performed at Madison and Tomah. In 2016 Sexe self produced and performed in TWO: exploring duos where seven choreographers created works exploring the idea of duo. “Self-producing such an ambi ous show might be a risky proposi on, but the community-building spirit propelling this project means that Madison (WI) gets an excellent glimpse into the modern dance scene.” (Isthmus) Sexe is grateful for this spirit in the Isthmus Dance Collec ve!

Her choreographic work has also been featured at Arts on Site in New York City, the World Dance Alliance Fes val in Hawaii, UW-Madison, Danceworks in Milwaukee, WI, and UW-Eau Claire. She has toured both regionally and na onally with Li Chiao-Ping Dance Company and Marlene Skog and Dancers. Find out more at lizsexedance.com or @lizsexedance

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Amy Slater Amy has lived in the Madison area since 2011. An Iowan by birth, she earned her undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in North eld, Minnesota and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Between her degrees, she spent 8 years in Minneapolis performing, choreographing, and teaching dance. She performed with the Christopher Watson Dance Company for seven seasons as well as with several independent choreographers in the Twin Ci es. Her work has been shown at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as a part of the American College Dance Associa on’s na onal conference. Amy has been a guest ar st at the University of Texas at El Paso, New Mexico State University, and St. Olaf College. She has also presented work in the Minnesota Fringe Fes val and the Dances at the Lakes Fes val in Minneapolis, MN, and with DanceWorks and Dane Arts Dance Arts in Wisconsin. Amy has been a dance educator since 2006 and currently teaches dance technique and composi on at UWWhitewater in the Theatre/Dance department.

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Alyssa Jendusa Alyssa Jendusa comes from the small town of Stone Bank, Wisconsin where she started dancing at the age of four. She trained at the Milwaukee Ballet School for twelve years and attended their summer intensive program where she performed original works by a variety of choreographers including Karl Von Rabenau, Nadia Thompson, and Denis Malinkine. Alyssa received her BA in dance from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. At Point Park, she performed original contemporary works by the likes of Judith Leifer-Bentz and Nicholas Petrov. Alyssa has worked with Kanopy Dance Company, Scratch Dance, and Liz Sexe Dance in the Madison area. She has performed works by Martha Graham, Anna Sokolow, Martin Lofsnes, Sandra Kaufmann, and many others while dancing in Madison. Alyssa is a founding member of the Isthmus Dance Collective.

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Emily Shelton Emily Shelton is from Cincinnati, OH where she trained at the Otto M Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet. She received her BA in dance and BS in physics from Case Western Reserve University, where she performed works by Larry Keigwin, Mark Morris, and Pascal Rioult. Additionally, she attended summer programs at BalletMet Columbus, Interlochen Center for the Arts, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Mark Morris Dance Group, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. She performed with Verb Ballets and Ohio Dance Theatre in their production of “The Nutcracker” in December 2015.

Since moving to Madison in 2016, Emily has danced with Kanopy Dance Company as well as Scratch Dance. She is a founding member of Isthmus Dance Collective.

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Luella Shapiro Luella graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts (Dance) from Beloit College in 2006. Since then she has performed with Kanopy Dance, Agnieszka Laska Dancers, Frente de la Danza Independiente, and Li Chiao Ping Dance. She also performs and teaches on silks, trapeze and corde lisse through Swing State Aerial at the Madison Circus Space. When she's not dancing her heart out, you can find her adventuring with her three amazing kids.

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Sarah Nesler Wolf Sarah Nesler Wolf completed her BFA in dance with honors from UW-Milwaukee and in the subsequent decade plus has been working in the field as a performer and instructor. During her 9 years dancing with Kanopy Dance Company in Madison, WI, Sarah was deeply immersed in the technique of Martha Graham, having the honor to perform numerous Graham works including Steps in the Street, Celebration, Heretic, and excerpts from Appalachian Spring.

Performing in Anna Sokolow’s Lyric Suite and Charles Weidman’s Lynchtown meant extensive exposure to other classical modern dance techniques. Sarah has also traveled to New York City to complete teacher training, such as completion of AMERICAN BALLET THEATER© Teacher Certification in Primary through Level 7 and Horton advanced teacher training through the Ailey School.

Sarah is also a certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst through Integrated Movement Studies. She currently teaches dance at Beloit College and guest teaches throughout southern Wisconsin.

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Aubry Dalley

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Aubry is an independent choreographer and dance teaching ar st with a BA in Dance Educa on from Brigham Young University (Magna Cum Laude). She is currently a member of Isthmus Dance Collec ve in Madison, Wisconsin.

Her teaching experience spans public and higher educa on including Brigham Young University where she was the Assistant Director for Contemporary Dance Theatre. While working in K-12 educa on, Aubry directed the dance program as well as chaired the Performing Arts Department at a public high school. Aubry has served as the associate director of Oquirrh West Project and has been honored to choreograph for the Utah Metropolitan Ballet, Repertory Dance Theatre’s Regalia, Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre and danceEnsemble, ON SITE mobile dance series, UVU Summer Concert, the Young DanceMakers, the ACDA Gala, Li Chiao-Ping SEED Fes val, Oquirrh West Project, and the Shi ing Gears Dance Fes val. Her work has won awards in the Rocky Mountain Choreography Fes val, Utah's Shakespearean Fes val, Provo’s Take Two Choreography Compe on, Utah Regional Ballet’s Choreography Design Compe on, and the Alfred Lambourne Prize. Grants awarded include a 2020 Li Chiao-Ping SEED Fes val Grant and Art for Uncertain Times Grant through the Center for LDS Arts. Aubry’s freelance performance work includes Scratch Dance and interac ve and site speci c shows such as Dance Engine and ONSITE mobile dance series. Aubry was a presenter at the 2021 Na onal Conference for the Na onal Dance Educa on Organiza on.

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Tania Tandias Tania Tandias studied amenco, Spanish classical, and escuela bolera with two of the top amenco dancers in the United States today, Pablo Rodarte and Eva Enciñias-Sandoval, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has also studied with Juana Amaya in Seville, Spain, Rosa Montoya in San Francisco, and numerous other Spanish ar sts, including La Ta , Ciro, Eva "La Yerbabuena," Javier Latorre, Antonio Canales, Emilio Ochando and Lola and Carmela Greco.

Ms. Tandias performed with Maria Benitez's Nuevo Flamenco in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As a dancer with this company she toured statewide, bringing amenco to the public schools through lecture-demonstra ons and to the general public through full-length performances. She also danced in Nuevo Flamenco's weekly performances at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Fe. Ms. Tandias was also a dancer in the Albuquerque-based Alma Flamenca, which performed in local venues, fes vals, schools, and in the interna onally acclaimed Fes val Flamenco Internacional that takes place in Albuquerque every summer. While s ll living in New Mexico, she performed in faculty concerts at the University of New Mexico and in the opera Carmen.

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Tania Tandias now lives in her hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, where she has been introducing, through performing and teaching, the beauty and passion of amenco and Spanish dance to fellow Wisconsinites.

Besides numerous stage produc ons, fes vals, school shows, private par es, and lecture-demonstra ons, Ms. Tandias has recently choreographed and danced in pieces for Madison Opera, Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Milwaukee Ballet, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, Kanopy Dance Company, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, whose program Vivo Flamenco was aired on Wisconsin Public Television. Tania Tandias also directs her own performance company Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, which has become a favorite at the Overture Center’s annual Interna onal Fes val. In 2016, Ms. Tandias was honored to receive the “Performance/ Choreography Award” from the Wisconsin Dance Council.

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© Rob Kunkle

Libby Westra Libby Westra (she/her) is from Appleton, WI where she danced at Fox Ci es Dance Academy, Makaro School of Ballet and a ended summer intensives at The Ailey School in New York and Milwaukee Ballet School. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Dance. While there, she studied under and performed choreography by Charlo e Adams, Eloy Barragan, George de la Pena, Autumn Eckman, Ramon Flowers, and more in mul ple shows and with the touring university dance group Dancers in Company. She also spent a year in San Francisco dancing with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program with teachers like LeeWei Chao, Maurya Kerr, and Alonzo King. A erwards, she moved to Chicago and began dancing as an appren ce with Inaside Chicago Dance. In 2017, she took her dancing to new heights and joined Aerial Dance Chicago where she has performed works by Chloe Jensen, Karen Fisher Doyle, Hanna Brictson, Joshua Blake Carter, Mike Gosney, Aaron McGloin, Lizzie McKenzie, Nadia Oussenko, Lauren Reed, Wilfredo Rivera, and Jaqueline Stewart. Highlights include performing at Harvest Contemporary Dance Fes val, Spring to Dance in St. Louis, Summer Dance Village in Millennium Park, See Chicago Dance at Navy Pier, Grand Valley State University and corporate events for Starbucks, the Susan G. Komen Founda on and fundraisers for Senator Michael Has ngs.

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She just moved to Madison and began graduate school for a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She is so happy to con nue dancing on the ground and in the air here in Madison. When she’s not studying, or dancing, you can nd her doodling and making punny cards that she sells on Etsy (@Holidayzical).

Maureen Janson Maureen Janson is a long me mul -hyphenate ar st and has been based in Madison since 1993. If interested in the details of her work, please visit maureenjanson.com

Alex Bassi is a mul instrumentalist from Silver Lake, Wisconsin. He holds a BA in Music from UW Whitewater and currently serves as part me musician sta for the UW Madison Dance Department.

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Production Team Lighting & Sound James Vogel Organizing Committee Aubry Dalley Emily Shelton Juan Carlos Díaz Vélez Erica Pinigis Luella Shapiro Alyssa Jendusa Volunteers Grace McClusky Tania Tandias Paolo Desiati Kimberly Zermeño Bonnie Saari Thomas Murphy

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Volunteers Contact us for ways to volunteer.

info@isthmusdancecollective.org (608) 405-8020

Become a Sponsor Become part of our community by becoming a sponsor or by giving individual donations

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