Meet our NEW Dances 2019 Choreographers!

Francesca Baron (Morton Grove, IL) has been a Chicago-based artist since graduating from Lindenwood University with dual-degrees in Dance and Psychology, 2016. Her work has been presented at A New Light Festival, College of DuPage Annual Choreographer’s Competition & Showcase, American College Dance Association, and Lindenwood University. Additionally, she has worked with company dancers of Inaside Chicago Dance to restage an original work and was invited to create on the members of Esoteric Dance.  Francesca has performed with Inaside Chicago Dance, Leverage Dance Theater, Visceral Dance Chicago, and the work Firstbite choreographed and produced by Brian McGinnis, among other various free-lance projects. Currently, she is a member of Project606 Dance and a guest artist with Trifecta Dance Collective. She looks forward to growing in the dance community as a choreographer, performer, and educator. Connecting with others through the joy of dance is what keeps her going.

 

Jana Bennett (Chicago, IL) is a vibrant redhead and a prominent Chicagoland director, choreographer, professional dancer, and instructor. In August of 2018, Jana founded the groundbreaking new dance studio and professional company SkunkWorks Dance. Prior to SkunkWorks, Jana danced for five years as an original member of Cocodaco Dance Project’s Professional Company where she performed in works by many incredible choreographers including Francisco Avina, Ronn Stewart, Sam Watson, and David Maurice. Jana has also participated in various local festivals, most notably Dance Chicago and the Harvest Contemporary Dance Festival. In the summer of 2017, she toured with Cocodaco throughout New Mexico. Choreographically, Jana’s work has been seen throughout the Chicago area. Most prominently, her piece “Alligators” served as the inspiration for Stage 773’s show “Recital” featuring The Second City’s John Sabine and Claudia Wallace. Jana is currently in the process of creating two new works for SkunkWorks. This past February, Jana released an inspiring and uplifting dance film, “Minimum Wage”, which included music by upcoming music artist Taylor Bennett and production work by video mogul Daniel Williams of Purus Motus. Jana is the former Interim Artistic Director of Foster Dance Studios and a John V. Roach Honors Laureate of Texas Christian University, where she graduated with her B.F.A. in Dance.

 

Lauen Blane (Glendale Heights, IL) began training at the Faubourg Ballet Academy under Watmora Casey. She graduated with honors from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. Degree in Dance. Upon graduation, Lauren was chosen to receive The Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Dance, and her choreography was featured in the American College Dance Festival Gala. Lauren studied as a scholarship student at the Lou Conte Dance Studio under Claire Bataille and performed with Giordano Dance Chicago’s Second Company for two seasons. She also had the privilege of performing with Beyoncé on Oprah’s Farewell Episode at the United Center. She has been featured in the Marriott Theater’s productions of SHOUT! Now and Forever, The Nutcracker, Mary Poppins, and Evita and most recently Drury Lane’s production of Chicago. Lauren was honored to be chosen as the first alumni in residence at Grand Valley State University. She is also the resident choreographer for the Lake Zurich High School Musicals and has choreographed for many schools, studios, and performing groups in the Chicagoland area. She has also taught at Chicago Dance Connection, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, and Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM). Lauren is the founder and Artistic Director of the Main Street Ballet Company in Lake Zurich, IL, where her dancers have performed locally and internationally at the pre-professional level. Lauren would like to thank her husband Drew, mom Maryann, dad Mike, and her entire family for their constant love and support.

 

LOUD BODIES (Chicago, IL) is a dance collective co-founded by Yariana Baralt Torres and Maria Blanco. Yariana and Maria both obtained their B.A.’s in dance and sociology from Loyola University Chicago. The dance program’s focus on practice-led research and emphasis on social justice gave them the tools and inspiration to use art for activism. Their sociological background allows them to analyze social information that they later translate into movement. LOUD BODIES looks to create meaningful work inspired by social issues that will evoke emotion and provoke change. LOUD BODIES uses dance and choreography to fight for social justice, to bring awareness to oppressed topics or communities, and to call for unity, understanding, and most importantly, action. Some of the topics they have explored already are: racial inequality, womanhood, intersectionality, sexuality and mental health. LOUD BODIES has presented work at the Greenhouse Theater – 100 Acts of Resistance, Collaboraction’s Peacebook Festival, Archie’s Cafe, Links Hall, and Jello. Recently, LOUD BODIES was selected as Synapse Arts – New Works Artists 2019.

 

Katie Carey (Schaumburg, IL) co-director of Purus Motus, found her love for dance at the age of 8 at Marjorie Jones Schools Inc. She studied at Ballet Met and Interlochen Center for the Arts. Katie attended The Ohio State University, later moving to Chicago to train at Giordano Dance Chicago. Katie has performed with Nomi Dance Company, in DanceChance, Dance Chicago, Arts Midwest, New Voices, j e l l o and competed at World of Dance. Katie has choreographed for Nomi and Dansteps Costa Rica.

 

Rigoberto Fernandez (Chicago, IL) graduated from Havana’s Escuela Nacional de Cuba and the Instituto Superieur de Arte with a degree in dance. Mr. Fernandez Saura was composition master in the Metropolitan School of Ecuador and choreographed performances for Ecuador’s Urban Ballet. He recently moved to Chicago where he currently dances with Hedwig Dances and Concert Dance Inc. Additionally, Rigoberto teaches at the Ruth Page School of Dance, where he continues to develop as a dancer and choreographer. Rigoberto presented a solo piece at the Youth American Grand Prix and recently participated at J e l l o Performance Series (2018) with his work “Donde Estàs, Yolanda” and Hedwig Dances’ NEW COMPANY WORKS: “The Flowering Mechanisms”, with music from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is also a guest teacher and choreographer at the Latín School of Chicago.