Artistic Residencies at ConnectArte
At ConnectArte E.M., we are passionate about promoting the live arts within the Tijuana and San Diego region. We strive to create a welcoming space for artists and performers alike, fostering professional collaborations that push the boundaries of creativity and artistic expression. We are dedicated to supporting the growth of the live arts industry, both locally and beyond. Contact us today to see how we can help you bring your artistic vision to life. Below you will find information on the current artists in residence.
SISU Dance Company
SISU is a newly formed dance company in residence at ConnectArte Multidisciplinary Space in Tijuana, Mexico. They dedicate themselves to the creation and production of live arts performance impulsed by the curiosity to explore different movement and artists languages with the end goal to connect with the humanity of the audience.
SISU has generated spaces to share and collaborate within the artistic community nationally and internationally through training platforms, festivals, discussion forums, laboratory spaces, collective works and live arts performances.
Meet The Company
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Newest Work to Premiere in 2024: "Quietude"
“Quietude" is a dance work that unfolds as a response to the complex and horrific events of the Hamas-Israel war. This piece delves into the challenges of creating connection and intimacy amid chaos and conflict, exploring the paradoxical states of the human body as it navigates through turmoil. The work explores the human spirit's resilience and capacity to seek harmony despite adversity. "Quietude" invites the audience to reflect on the universal theme of connection, emphasizing the profound impact that empathy and understanding can have in times of conflict. In this dance, the embodiment of paradox becomes a powerful vehicle for conveying the human experience, fostering a sense of shared humanity.
"Quietude" emerged from this process of meditation and reflection—a testament to the universal struggle we all face, regardless of nationality or background. It is a work that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of empathy, and the healing potential of connection.
In crafting this piece, the performers sought to transcend the limitations of language and culture, inviting audiences to confront their own inner battles and embrace the transformative power of holding space for one another. "Quietude" is not just a dance—it is a profound exploration of the human experience, a testament to the strength found in vulnerability, and a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.
Poem:
In war's relentless storm, the heart unveils,
A resilience, a tale that time assails.
Beneath the thunder beats a steadfast drum,
A symphony of strength, where courage hums.
Through tumultuous echoes, love stands tall,
A beacon in the chaos, never to fall.
In the crucible of strife, the heart prevails,
Unyielding, like a fortress behind armored veils.
Shattered skies bear witness to its might,
The heart endures, a beacon in the night.
Amidst the ravages, a flame unfurls,
Revealing the resilience of the heart in swirls.
War may rage, a tempest unrestrained,
Yet within the heart, hope is ingrained.
Touched by the fire, it refuses to depart,
A testament to the enduring strength of the heart.
SISU Company Bios:
Pamela Macías
General Director
Choreographer, Dancer & Instructor
Originally from Tijuana, Baja California, she graduated with a degree in dance from the University of Autonomy of Baja California (Mexicali). She developed professionally as a member of the Lux Boreal dance company for more than six years, participating as a performer, teacher and creator.
Pamela was a semi-finalist as a choreographer in the Guillermo Arriaga National Dance Award, INBA-UAM. She was also a finalist in the Young Choreographers Showcase and Prize; in San Diego, CA (USA) where she was awarded as "Best Performer" and selected to participate as a choreographer in the "Performance Primers" in the city of Berkeley, CA (USA).
Pamela was invited as a guest instructor to the San Diego Dance Theater company Summer Workshop in 2023 and will return to teach again at the workshop this year.
She danced as a guest with the company of Sasha Waltz and Guests in the play "In C" by Sasha Waltz/Terry Riley in the city of Guadalajara produced by the Mexican production company MOVES. Currently Pamela is also the co-founder and co-director of ConnectArte "Multidisciplinary Space".
Melissa Padilla
Artistic Director
Choreographer, Dancer & Instructor
Melissa is a contemporary dance artist with over 11 years of professional experience in the Mexican dance community. She graduated with Honorable Mention from the Professional School of Dance of Mazatlán. She is an active part of the "CONTINUUM" training system developed by the scenic artist Omar Carrum.
Melissa was a member of the renowned company Lux Boreal for 6 years, showcasing her work as a performer, choreographer and teacher on multiple theaters inside and outside of Mexico.
Co-founder and co-director of "Teatro de León", a Colombian/Mexican contemporary theater company, with which she managed to have a presence in international festivals, forums and independent theaters in Mexico, Colombia and France, being deserving of recognitions such as the international circulation grant Mincultura 2017 (CO) and the Apromac 2017 support.
Melissa currently produces and directs the live arts event "Paradojas Invisibles" and is a dance member of the official Mexican cast of "In C" by Sasha Waltz & Guests | Terry Riley. Melissa was selected among the Mexican cast to dance at the Guadalajara International Book Fair FIL 2023 as a guest dancer of the German company.
Matthew Armstrong
Tecnical Director
Choreographer, Dancer & Instructor
Originally from Redding, California in the United States, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of California at San Diego.
He was a Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher and International Relations Coordinator of the Lux Boreal company (2011-2022). His choreographies within the company have been presented in Mexico, Brazil & the United States.
Matthew was awarded Best Male Performer (2010) and semi-finalist as a choreographer (2019) in the Guillermo Arriaga National Choreography Contest of Mexico, INBA/UAM.
Co-founder of Arte Inclusiva Borboleta A.C. (Tijuana), an organization with inclusive workshops, whom work with children and young people with and without disabilities through movement and dance, fully embracing diversity.
Matthew is currently a member of the San Diego Dance Theater and Malashock Dance company, two prestigious contemporary dance companies in San Diego, California.
Co-founder and co-director of ConnectArte Espacio Multidisciplinario (Tijuana) a studio and independent alternative forum where performances, workshops, and master classes in dance and other art disciplines are offered to the community.
Raúl Navarro
Company Member
Choreographer, Dancer & Instructor
Originally from Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Raúl graduated from the Professional School of Dance of Mazatlan (EDPM), directed by the Delfos company.
In 2005 he received the scholarship granted by the National Fund for Culture and the Arts (FONCA) in the category of performer, in 2006 he received the scholarship granted by the State Fund for Culture and the Arts of Sinaloa in the category of Artistic Development and in 2012 he received the scholarship granted by the Program of Incentives for Artistic Creation and Development of Baja California in the category of Development Artistic.
He was a Dancer, Choreographer and Instructor of the Lux Boreal dance company (2005-2022). He was also coordinator of the TJ Night 4x4 Choreography Contest. Within the company Raul performed in several Dance Festivals in countries such as the United States, France, Spain,
Ireland, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.
Co-founder of Arte Inclusiva Borboleta A.C. (Tijuana), an organization with inclusive workshops, whom work with children and young people with and without disabilities through movement and dance, fully embracing diversity.
Currently, he is co-founder and co-director of ConnectArte Espacio Multidisciplinario (Tijuana), a studio and independent alternative forum where performances, workshops, and master classes in dance and other art disciplines are offered to the community.
Frida Mar
Registrar, Assistant
Choreographer, Dancer & Instructor
Originally from Tijuana, Baja California, Frida began her dance training in 2014 at the Coppelia Center for Dance and Performing Arts, under the tutelage of members of Lux Boreal contemporary dance company. She is also a graduate of the Professional School of Dance of Mazatlán.
To strengthen her dance and academic training, she has trained and involved in workshops with various professional instructos such as: Piso Articular/ Ángel Arámbula, Lux Boreal Summer Intensive Course (2019 and 2021), Dance Methodology/ Nicte Ha Escobosa, Tijuana International Dance Congress (2016, 2018 and 2019), Miroslava Wilson, Francisco Cordova, Carlos Zamora, Vladimir Rodriguez, Mike Tyson, Ido Idrigon, Wim Vandekeybus, Introduction to Videodance / Ximena Monroy, Stage Lighting Workshop for Dance / Alejandra Escobedo, among others.
Frida has participated in various festivals and choreography competitions such as: 4x4 TJ Night/ semifinalist (2019), International Online Choreography Award - Second Edition -/ Finalist, José Limón Dance Festival, Lila López International Dance Festival (2022 and 2023), in which she participated as a performer in the choreographic work of Xitlali Piña, Bethany Mitchell, Vladimir Rodríguez, Francisco Cordova and Victor Ruiz.
Brianna López
Choreographer of "Quietude"
Brianna López is a dance artist based in San Diego, USA and Tel Aviv, Israel. She holds a B.A. in Dance Performance from San Diego State University and an M.F.A. in Modern Dance from the University of Utah. During her studies, she danced with the San Diego State Dance Team, The University Dance Company, and the Performing Dance Company.
Brianna’s dance research explores the interplay between multitasking, effort, and agility, unraveling their contributions to developing the available body. Drawing upon her training in Gaga and contact improvisation, she explores these elements in the creative process and performance.
In 2020, her dance research led her to move to Tel Aviv to train in Ohad Naharin’s movement language, Gaga. She regularly attends Gaga/People classes and ProMornings at Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre. She collaborates with Israeli photographers, videographers, filmmakers, musicians, singer-songwriters, and fashion designers in performances and videos. Some artists include Yemima, Shay Moshe Moshe, Avi Perrodin, Irit Dekel, Eldar Baruch, DADA by Dana, and Nanig Fashion. In 2022, Michal Ben Lior, Artistic Director of ImPort, invited her to join her performing group of musicians and dancers. They have performed together in SOHO House, The Zone, Edna, and Collabo in Tel Aviv. The FEX Festival invited ImPort to perform an evening-length work at Habait Theatre. Lior also cast Brianna in her evening-length work, “Piñata,” performed in Alpha Beit Theatre.
In 2023, she joined the School of Music & Dance faculty at San Diego State University. She teaches lecture and studio courses for non-majors and majors. She collaborated with her colleague, Jess Humphrey, in a transborder experiment, Portal, where she taught and performed at the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT) as a part of the “Festival De Danza Transfronteriza” and at the AUKA Escuela de Música del ICBC” in Mexico. She was also invited to be a guest performer with Lux Boreal in “Skin Hunger,” directed by Joseph Alter. The work will tour California in early 2024.
