Zaquia Mahler Salinas
Zaquia Mahler Salinas, is a Chicana/Palestinian dance artist invested in movement-art as an act of reclamation and world-building. She dances at the intersection of performance, social practice, education, and advocacy; Zaquia finds joy in cultivating community, and lives for the magic inherent in collaboration. In 2018, Zaquia co-founded DISCO RIOT, a nonprofit organization that supports radical dance and creative possibilities in San Diego. She has been awarded various artistic residencies, including a 2019 residency in Bethlehem, Palestine with Diyar Dance Theatre where she deepened her understanding of dance as a form of cultural, embodied resistance. In 2023, Zaquia was awarded one of San Diego’s inaugural Far South/Border North grants for artists working in socially engaged practice. In 2024, she relocated to Boston, and is currently serving as Resident Curator with ODC Theater in San Francisco.
Drop In, Spiral Out – Advanced Contemporary Modern
Zaquia’s class is aimed at supporting the development of dynamic and functional physicality through explorations of weight, momentum, attention, anatomy, and play. We’ll use technical exercises, improvisation, phrase-work, and partnered feedback to probe beyond the mechanics, think critically about the tools, make connections, and deepen sensory awareness as a means for honing artistry and efficiency. Come explore space, dance fully, and challenge your edges while staying curious in community with others!
Gio Francisco
Giovanna Francisco (she/her) is a San Diego-based movement artist originally from Palm Springs, California. She holds her BA in Dance, BA in Sociology, and a minor in Education Studies from the University of California, San Diego. Giovanna’s formal training in contemporary, modern, and ballet is met with her love of improvisation in her artistic process. Her movement practice and teaching philosophy centers dance as a tool for exploration and connection. In June 2023, she choreographed and directed her first evening-length performance inspired by insects in the garden space of Art Produce as an Artist in Residence. In 2024, she took part in an artistic mentorship program and residency through DISCO RIOT. Giovanna has had the pleasure of working with Connect Arte, Rachel Catalano, Isabel Desmet, Terry Wilson, Brianna Pilkinton, and Yolande Snaith. She has created choreography for events brought to the community through DISCO RIOT and San Diego Dance Theater.
Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary Modern Description:
In Giovanna’s class, we will explore fluidity and play through sensory informed improvisation and phrasework. Sequencing movement with intention and full body awareness informs the basis of the material within her class where movers are encouraged to be present with themselves and one another.
Chelsea Roquero (she/her) & Krystal Masteller (she/her)
Founded in 2022, hasten dance is an emerging Los Angeles based female dance theatre duo. Both receiving their degrees in dance from CSULB, Chelsea Roquero (BA Dance, 2019) & Krystal Masteller (BA Dance Science, 2021) separately are artists with their own ambitions and ideologies; together they culminate an entity that explores all aspects through physicality, intricacy, & constantly inviting play.
hasten dance has presented work at MashUp’s International Women’s Day Festival (2023) & Disco Riot’s Choreo & Fly festival presented at La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW Festival with collaborator Kaia Makihara (2023). They have been invited to teach at Genesis Studios, Emerging Artist Class Series (2023), Stomping Ground LA’s Community Free Day of Dance event, See Yourself (2023 & 2024), and Renaissance Art’s High School (2023 & 2024). Their debut evening length with Kaia Makihara, “Bounded by Intervals” (2024) was presented this past July at the “Dance at the Odyssey Festival: Summer Edition” in Santa Monica, CA.
Intermediate/Advanced Floorwork Description:
Throw it Back! is an intermediate/advanced energetic floorwork and momentum based movement class. There will be a warm up, across the floor passes, and a big phrase. We will continue to explore downstage traveling, anatomical alignment inconsideration to directionality, and softening in the body to move more efficiently. All of this will be accompanied by our FAV 2000s banger playlist to drive momentum!
Dancirque Physical Therapy’s DanceWise class is an open-level class aimed at helping dancers understand their bodies and safe movement practices. Through a combination of functional anatomy presentations, volunteer demonstrations, and active exercises, participants will learn about how to identify individual movement patterns and how to correct these patterns if they are faulty. This class will cover topics including best warm-up practices, flexibility training, nerve tension, basic care for new injuries, and principles of recovery. Participants are encouraged to come with questions.
Lexii Alcaraz, Dancirque Physical Therapy
Lexii Alcaraz (she/her) is a licensed physical therapist who is passionate about all aspects of performing arts. She has many years of experience as a professional circus artist, dancer, coach, choreographer, and director. When Lexii decided to pursue her degree as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, she knew she wanted to use this knowledge to help advance the training and performance careers of artists. Lexii is passionate about educating artists about best practices for taking care of their bodies through workshops, injury screens, and treatment sessions. She integrates her knowledge of circus acrobatics, music, theater, and dance to create custom treatment plans for individuals to help reach their goals and address any underlying injuries that may stand in their way. Lexii continues to perform and create work in her hometown of San Diego. Professionally, she has toured across North America performing and is the artistic director of San Diego-based circus company Lighthouse Circus Theatre. Lexii looks forward to her next opportunity to be onstage and help others do the same.
Intermediate/Advanced Countertechnique Description:
The Countertechnique® class is a contemporary dance technique class. It stretches, coordinates and strengthens the body, making the dancer sweat, build stamina and really move. The class starts with a recurring set of exercises, allowing dancers to investigate the Countertechnique® principles in detail. The second half of the class consists of changing components, working towards luscious movement combinations and jumping at the end. The Countertechnique® class results in dancers using less energy, losing their fear of taking risks and gaining speed in changing direction.
Countertechnique® provides tools for body and mind to deal with the demanding dance practice of the 21st century. It is a movement system to help the dancer think about the dancing body, focusing on the process of incorporating information into action. Within a clear structure of exercises the Countertechnique® class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance, enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible. Dancers are encouraged to be pro-active in discovering connections and solutions, to be less concerned with judging themselves and to work in a healthy way with regard to body and mind. Countertechnique® makes daily training a valuable investment in the dancer’s own development, as well as interesting personal research. Countertechnique® was created and developed by Dutch choreographer, dancer and teacher Anouk van Dijk, former artistic director of Australian dance company Chunky Move.
Sophie Allen
Sophie Minouche Allen is a dance artist who imbues playfulness and nuance in all her endeavors. She performs, choreographs, and teaches throughout Chicago and nationally. As a performer, Sophie has recently worked with Al Evangelista, Anna Caffarelli/Crimson Moeller, Darling Shear, and Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape among others. As a choreographer, her work has been presented by FACT/SF, Thodos Dance Chicago/DanceWorks Chicago, Midwest RAD Fest, COMMON conservatory, Detroit Dance Exchange, Going Dutch Festival/Side Street Studio Arts, and Periodance/Performance Lab Showcase. As a teacher, Sophie offers open classes at The Rooted Space, closed curriculum classes at The Joffrey Academy of Dance, and co-facilitates the Chicago Countertechnique® Community class series throughout the city. Sophie is a certified Countertechnique® Teacher and holds a B.F.A. in Dance and B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Michigan. www.sophieminouche.com
Karina Wilson (she/her) is a San Diego-based mover with roots in Los Angeles. Her dance journey began with a foundation in Balanchine ballet, which she expanded by studying at Miami City Ballet before transitioning into contemporary styles. Karina furthered her exploration at Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, where she encountered movement styles that felt both freeing and empowering.
This year, Karina made contributions to the San Diego dance community, featuring in Motions and Emotions: Asian Women Speak Out and the Move American Campaign. Her teaching philosophy centers on empowering dancers to explore their own movement choices, fostering a deeply personal and liberating experience. Karina’s journey is a testament to her dedication to both classical and contemporary dance, as she continues to evolve as an artist and educator.
Karina’s POP IN / POP OUT class description: Karina’s class will emphasize phrase work and improvisation, encouraging dancers to make choices and reflect on what makes them feel most free. It aims to foster playfulness while pushing dancers technically and building confidence in their dance development.
Kimie Parker (she/her) is a San Diego native dance artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Kimie holds a BFA in Dance from Point Park University. In 2019, she joined Sidra Bell Dance New York as a company artist, has since been appointed Rehearsal Director, and has taught on behalf of the company at numerous academic institutions including NYU Tisch, SUNY Purchase, University of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, Harvard University, and more. As her own creative entity, she has been invited to teach for the Limon Dance Company Summer Intensive, BigKid Summer and Winter Create+Connect, and Gibney Dance Summer Studies. Her choreographic work has been featured in “THAT SHOW,” presented in NYC.
Kimie’s Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary Description:
This improvisation-forward dance practice encourages somatic awareness, unveiling the form and function of the body. A durational warmup consisting of conditioning, kinesthetic imagery, and contemporary dance techniques will culminate in movement research/dismantling.
