Winter 2024 Residency
Livestream Conversation with Winter Residents +
Guest Mentor David Herrera:
Broadcast on February 7, 2024 at 4pm PT
About the Resident Artists
Emma Andre
Emma Andre (they/she) is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Oakland, California. Emma is originally from the North Shore of Massachusetts, where they started dancing at the age of 3. They studied contemporary dance with an emphasis in ballet at The Boston Conservatory, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2021. After graduating they moved to New York and had the pleasure of working with Spark Movement Collective, Joyce King Dance Company, Zoe Fife, John Passafiume, and other artists. She is drawn to work that finds humor in the human experience, and enjoys making people laugh. When choreographing, most of Emma’s movement generation is based in improvisation. She often records and then reconstructs her improvised movements. Emma frequently collaborates with her partner (in life and dance) Henry Winslow. She and Henry moved to Oakland in June of 2023, and they are very excited to be joining the Bay Area's dance community. Since moving, Emma has received a Merdé Project grant to create a new work and a SAFEhouse arts residency in collaboration with Henry. Outside of the studio Emma likes to spend their time reading, drawing, sewing, and watching cartoons. They are honored to be selected as a participant in studio 210’s 2024 winter residency.
Throughout the Studio 210 Residency, Emma will develop a new piece. As she describes it: "This piece is an exploration of my relationship with femininity as I’ve journeyed through my life. Using music as a catalyst I will explore the freedom I felt in my childhood, the contradictory expectations put on young women, and the deconstruction of these ideals culminating in the reconstruction of my authentic self."
Photo of Emma Andre by Ed Cotton
Andrea Rodriguez
Born and raised in the San Francisco Mission District's culturally rich Latinx neighborhood, Andrea Rodriguez is a Xicana-Mexican-American multidisciplinary artist. She is a dancer, choreographer, actress, producer and filmmaker. She holds a BA in World Arts and Cultures/Dance from the University of California, Los Angeles and MFA in Interactive Media from the University of Southern California. Rodriguez performed professionally in the Viva Navidad Parade at Disney California Adventure. She is a Game Producer for the Zumba Fitness Video Games, which sold over 9 million units. She starred as Consuelo, the grandmother, in the “On Your Feet” musical. Rodriguez is a recipient of the San Francisco Arts Commission, Artist grant (2020. 2023). She premiered at Brava Theater an excerpt of her latest production, “La Rumba No Para," a salsa love story about growing up in San Francisco, La Misión, which explores the themes of love, loss, and addiction. Her mission is to create compelling narratives for theater, film, games, and virtual reality with the goal of inspiring diverse audiences to get up off their feet.
During the Studio 210 Residency, Andrea will develop “La Rumba No Para” (The Rumba Doesn’t Stop), a salsa love story about growing up in San Francisco, La Misión. Created by Andrea Rodriguez, the piece traverses through the streets surrounding 24th Street, where a melding of family secrets, culture, Latinx music and dance are explored through the themes of love, loss, and addiction.
Photo of Andrea Rodriguez by Robbie Sweeny
David Herrera is a choreographer, producer, and community leader in San Francisco, California. He grew up in Hollywood, CA influenced by his culturally diverse neighborhood and his Mexican and American heritages. He advocates to provide Latinx/e/a/o and BIPOC artists performance opportunities while challenging non-equitable practices in the modern/contemporary dance field. In 2007, David Herrera Performance Company was launched in San Francisco as a direct response to the lack of Latinx/e visibility and representation in the U.S. dance field.
David has created over 30 new works including evening-length productions such as ÒRALE!, The Tip of My Tongue, The Least of Them, TOUCH, and Slumber. David’s work has been presented at the Austin Dance Festval, Mix&Match Festival, ODC's Walking-Distance Festival, Festival of Latin American Contemporary Choreographers, SJ Dance Company's "Choreoproject", and more. His dance and community impact work has gained the support of the San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation, Center for Cultural Innovation, CA$H Grant, and the Puffin Foundation.
Beyond choreography, David also leads the national network and opportunity initiative Latinx Hispanic Dancers United which serves the national Latinx/e dance community and is the director and mentor of LatinXtensions, DHPCo’s 12-month mentorship program specifically curated for emerging Latinx/e dance artists.
David is a recipient of the National Latino Arts & Culture Leadership Fellowship and Hope Mohr Dance’s Community Engagement Residency. In 2023 David was announced as a Co-curator for the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival's "Choreofest". David will also serve as Deborah Slater's Studio 210 Residency mentor in 2024. He has served as advisor to the Festival of Latin American Contemporary Choreographers, served on the Isadora Duncan Awards committee member, and is a founding member of Dancing Around Race.
Learn more about David Herrera Performance Company by visiting their website. Photo of David Herrera by Randy Basso
The Studio 210 Residency is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.