Beatriz Castro (she/they) is a latinx, emerging artist, primarily using movement as her medium. Born and raised in Costa Rica, they are currently based in Brooklyn. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance and BA in Business, where she performed works by Earl Mosley, Anthony Morigerato, Chase Brock, Tami Stronach, and Sidra Bell. They have also performed works by Michelle Thompson Ulerich and Kar’mel Small. They have presented work at the National Theater of Costa Rica, GreenSpace, Triskelion Arts and Arts on Site.

Catherine Messina, a graduate of Emory University, has been dancing for over 20 years throughout New York and Atlanta. With Atlanta-based company Kit Modus, she worked with choreographers Jillian Mitchell, Mark Caserta, Ruben Julliard, Alexander Espinosa, and Maddie Hanson. She has also worked with George Staib, Niv Sheinfeld, Oren Laor, Yuki Ishiguro, and Animus Movement. Her company, rogue wave, has performed throughout New York, Atlanta, Richmond, Portugal, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, her hometown. She is a recipient of grant support, and has experience in arts administration, teaching, and technical production. Community work is important to her and seen through her creation of a twice-a-year outdoor dance festival – Fall for Fall, a summer class series, and volunteering for DanceATL and Dance/NYC.

Dominique M. Fontenot is an educator, choreographer, dance coach and visual artist. She is a native to Lawtell, Louisiana and has received her BFA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Dance. During her time at UL Lafayette, Dominique has choreographed two original works for ‘An Evening of Dance’ both centered around the African American experience in social entities. Recently moving to New York City, Dominique is currently pursuing her MA in Dance education and ballet pedagogy from New York University. Dominique is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level VII & Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is currently the dance teacher for Ujima High School. A quote Dominique lives by is “You live to create another day”!

Xavier Fontanet (Edgard Toro) is a Queer Latine Artist from the Bronx. They received a BFA in Multi-media Performing Arts in 2019. They focused on both theater and dance, making their Off Broadway Debut in 2019 as well as taking part in Cuny Dance Initiative Program which focused on the art of storytelling through movement at Laguardia Community College for 2 years.In 2021, their piece Torment(A) was part of BAAD’s OUT LIKE THAT Festival, & in 2022 premiered F.U.J at Mark Morris Dance Group as part of their NACHMO Program.

Mar and Elliott are both Brooklyn based dance artists and educators. Elliott is currently on faculty at Wagner College and Mar is actively involved with the organization Dance Church. They have been collaborating on a variety of projects for the past few years. Their work has been presented at Red Rocks Dance Festival, DUMBO Six Foot Platform Series, and other venues. They are excited to be performing as a part of HOT! Dance.

Donations help support the community during this challenging time as DP continues to bring together visionary artists and adventurous audiences. If you can make a gift at this time, we’re very grateful for your consideration! Support DP