bright colored gap, delves into the impact of our education system on artistic expression, uncovering the stifling weight of conformity within its rigid structures. We challenge the limiting beliefs perpetuated by a system that undervalues our innate artistry.
Beyond exploration, we strive to illuminate pathways toward healing and empowerment within our communities.
As a testament to the power of community engagement, bright colored gap advocates fervently for the expansion of fair access to arts education in San Diego. We champion it as a fundamental right, recognizing the transformative role of community spaces as sanctuaries for creativity. They serve as platforms for the cultivation of equitable access to arts programs, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to flourish and thrive in the rich tapestry of artistic expression.
The (R)evolution DISCO RIOT mentees, a dynamic group of six movers, are united by their passion for community building through movement. Grateful for the transformative opportunity provided by DISCO RIOT’s program, they acknowledge its pivotal role in their artistic growth. Inspired by their journey, they seek to broaden access to such enriching experiences, advocating for inclusivity and accessibility within San Diego’s arts scene. Their gratitude propels them to pay it forward, envisioning a future where mentorship programs are accessible to all aspiring artist. By championing diversity, accessibility, and collaboration, they strive to cultivate an environment where creativity thrives, allowing everyone to express themselves through their art practice.
(R)evolution Mentorship Program Cohort Artists:
Patrick Li (he/him) is a human who loves dance. He recently graduated from UCSD with a dance BA and a biology BS, accompanied by the Theatre & Dance Undergraduate Scholarship Award, the Timothy McDaniel Award, and the Global Service Award. Patrick has showcased his choreography in China, the US, and the UK. He has performed in professional works by Monica Bill Barnes, Yolande Snaith, Eric Geiger, Rebecca Chaleff, and Patricia Rincon. Growing up and training abroad, he observed the distinctions among individuals. Embracing dance as a potent art form, Patrick envisions uniting people across diverse backgrounds through the universal language of dance.
Karina Wilson (she/her) is a mover based in San Diego. Her dance journey began with a foundation in Balanchine ballet training in Los Angeles, where she honed her skills and immersed herself in the world of classical dance. She furthered her dance education by attending summer intensives such as Miami City Ballet, before venturing into more contemporary ballet styles. Transitioning into the realm of contemporary dance, Karina studied at Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Lines Ballet. These experiences allowed her to explore innovative movement techniques and refine her artistic expression.
My Artistic name is Emily Jane (she/ they); I have lived in San Diego, California for over 20 years. I have been chasing dance since I witnessed it for the first time. I grew up without access to traditional dance training but this allowed me to create my own non-traditional path to a dance career. I studied at SDSU in the dance program in pursuit of my BFA in Dance. Though I am not a technically trained dancer, I created a path to my dream because I have always wanted to be a dancer, a choreographer, an artist.
Jenna Wu-Cardona (they/them/she) is a queer and multiracial dancer and artist with roots in Los Angeles and San Diego after growing up in Oakland and South San Francisco. They are a company dancer with Blue 13 Dance Company, and their choreography has been shown in multiple film festivals across the country and Disco Riot’s 2024 Queer Mvmnt Fest. They graduated from Scripps College with a BA in Education Studies and a minor in dance, where they were awarded the 2021 and 2022 Lucile Morrison Dance Award and the 2023 Loralyn Ledwell Cropper Dance Award. Jenna’s choreography has been described as “virtuosic works of art that embodies complex rhythms and vocabularies in a myriad of spatial pathways and configurations.” In addition to being a performance artist, they are also a visual artist, with their own stained glass small business!
Briele Melahn is a newly relocated San Diego artist. While receiving her BFA through the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, Melahn rigorously trained in several classical and contemporary styles under her mentors Doug Varone, Stephanie Tooman, Bradley Ellis, and Shannon Mather. Melahn has also trained internationally at the Taipei National University of the Arts where she studied both western and eastern methods of movement. She has performed in professional works by Annie Rigney, Rosanlyn Newman, Hannah Garner, and Marla Phelan. Melahn’s work today is centered around an experimental play between artistic physical rigor and pedestrian normalcy to create an intersection of original movement and intuitive humanness.
Giovanna Francisco (she/her) is a San Diego-based movement artist originally from Palm Springs, CA. She graduated from UCSD with her BA in both dance and sociology with a minor in education studies. Her first artist’s residency was through Art Produce in 2023 generating insect inspired movement for an evening-length performance. Giovanna has had the pleasure of being a dancer in works by Rachel Catalano, Allison Smith, Terry Wilson, Rebekah Brown, Brianna Pilkinton, and Yolande Snaith. She has created choreographic works for events brought to the community through DISCO RIOT and San Diego Dance Theater. Her movement practice centers dance as a vital component of life and community.