Recent + upcoming EXPERIENCES
Photo by Bonny Melendez
UNBOUND is a performance ritual that honors our narrative ancestors who were enslaved during the Spanish colonial period.
RECENT events:
FAN.TAS.MA at zozobra 101
DATE: AUGUST 29, 2025
LOCATION: FT. MARCY PARK
The International Museum of Dance Co-Directors Angel Guanajuato and Gabriel Carrion-Gonzales are excited to present “FAN.TAS.MA.” at ZOZOBRA 101. FAN.TAS.MA. is a multi-artist inter-city collaboration taking on Zozobra's 2025 theme - STEAMPUNK. Angel and Gabriel used their own perspective and pulled inspiration from the origin story of the festival, calling on the communities comprising New Mexico’s melting pot, paralleling the story of the original 5 pinturas. Angel and Gabriel asked, “what if ancient wisdom met future innovation and calling in the “steam” that has propelled these communities into future ways of healing and operating. In FAN.TAS.MA artists’ collaborate to display a powerful performance that is authentic to NM.
celebrating the living legend of jock soto
AT THE LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN SANTA FE ON AUGUST 23
IMOD in partnership with The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe hosted a memorable evening celebrating the life, legacy, and cultural impact of Jock Soto—a trailblazing Diné (Navajo)-Puerto Rican artist, born and raised in New Mexico.
The program featured a welcoming VIP hour, a live blessing, a screening of Jock’s most recent film, and an intimate rehearsal glimpse with Jock and Ballet Taos dancers. Experience a thoughtful interview exploring Jock’s artistry and cultural journey, the announcement of the new Jock Soto Scholarship Fund, and a closing montage honoring his enduring impact on dance and community.
Return here to see images of the event and hear about the Jock Soto Scholarship recipient, proclamations, and festivities of the night.
DANCE – Choreographed Photography Exhibition
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of bubbly, beauty, and movement as the International Museum of Dance & Duncan Miller Gallery presents DANCE—a captivating exhibition that explores the ephemeral nature of dance through the lens of internationally renowned photographers. Our event was held August 2nd at the Duncan Miller Gallery from 3-6 PM.
LOVE UNLIMITED
June 12 at SHACK15 in San Francisco, CA
PHOTOS BY TONY ABELLO
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Love Unlimited, an unforgettable evening with the International Museum of Dance celebrating the vibrant legacy of queer dance culture. The night featured New York City’s iconic Princess Lockerooo, internationally renowned pianist Harold O’Neal, and Bay Area favorite DJ Lady Ryan. Together, they created an elevated experience that honored the powerful story of Waacking and the artists who continue to carry it forward.
Moments like this are made possible by you. With your support, IMOD honored a rich legacy while continuing to build a more inclusive future for dance.
Artists in Residence Program
IMOD is committed to the production of culturally significant dance exhibitions. The Artist in Residence program is a series of interactive performances centered on dance as a connective thread through history, culture, and art. The program propels the artist’s work forward by offering them strategic support including grant writing, budget development, administrative training, and marketing development. Through the program, artists are able to develop and launch performances that share their stories of self-discovery with the world.
ELEVATING movement
around the world
Since its inception in 2018, IMOD has been the leader in creating dance exhibitions demonstrating the cultural impact, storytelling ability, and connective thread of dance. By cultivating partnerships in communities worldwide, IMOD sponsors lecture series, residencies, films and dance festivals.
Our focus on empowering artists and students from underserved and under-resourced communities by offering partial or full tuition remission for classes. In 2022 IMOD sponsored the three-week dance festival Moving Southwest in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It attracted over 3,000 visitors, and it included diverse dance classes, exhibitions, workshops, live performances, and dance film screenings.
IMOD PAST EVENTS
EDUCATION+EXPERIENCE
Minerva University “Homecoming” Launch, San Francisco: During Minerva University’s Fall homecoming event, IMOD organized ice-breaking dance activities for the University’s 250 international students and their parents, fostering a sense of community and celebration.
August 2019
EXPERIENCE+RESEARCH
Lecture at ODC Theater, San Francisco: “The Choreography of Emerging Technology” with Sydney Skybetter: In collaboration with Sydney Skybetter, an esteemed choreographer, TEDx speaker, Brown University lecturer, and researcher, IMOD organized a captivating lecture at the ODC dance commons in San Francisco, CA. The event delved into a choreographic critique of gesture, robotic technology, surveillance, and policing, showcasing the intersection of dance and technology.
November 2019
EXPERIENCE+ARCHIVES
Lecture series at ADOBE Studios, San Francisco: IMOD continued its lecture series in January 2020 at ADOBE Studios, focusing on the convergence of dance and technology. This lecture addressed important questions related to the use of technology in capturing and preserving dance for wider audiences.
January 2020
EXPERIENCE
Three week Dance Festival, Santa Fe, NM: IMOD expanded programs to New Mexico and gained 501c3 recognition in the state in addition to California. The festival highlighted local artists, attracting over 3,000 visitors and gaining notable press coverage. It included diverse dance classes, exhibitions, workshops, live performances, and dance screenings.
July 2022
EDUCATION
Launch of the Cyclical Mentorship Program was launched by IMOD in Santa Fe with support from the City of Santa Fe, providing aspiring artists and arts administrators with hands-on training and mentorship. Participants gain skills in project management, artistic development and community engagement while collaborating on real-world arts initiatives. The program emphasizes career development, cultural exchange, and fostering the next generation of creative leaders. It has since expanded to Las Vegas, NV.
2023-2024
EXPERIENCE
Illuminate at CCA, presented in collaboration with IMOD and 4Kinship, was a powerful celebration of Indigenous artistry, raising awareness and funds for the 4Kinship Indigenous Futures Fund. Featuring Indigenous artists from across North America, the event showcased a vibrant tapestry of dance, storytelling, spoken word, fashion, and live music. Held at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Santa Fe, the experience was elevated by stunning lighting design from Meow Wolf artists, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of cultural pride and creative expression.
February 2024
EXPERIENCE
Pow Wow Fit with James Jones, sponsored by IMOD in Santa Fe in May 2024, is an electrifying fusion of traditional Indigenous dance and modern fitness. Led by James Jones, a world-renowned hoop dancer and motivational speaker, the experience immerses participants in dynamic movements inspired by Pow Wow culture. This unique workshop celebrates wellness, cultural pride, and the joy of dance, offering an unforgettable journey of rhythm, energy, and connection.
May 2024
IMOD Experience Contributors
ANGEL GUANAJUATO
Angel Guanajuato is a New Mexico-based artist who focuses on exploring his identity and human emotion from the perspective of a queer existentialist through music, poetry, and dance.
CAROLINA CZEKOWSKA
Carolina Czechowska (she/her/hers) is the Director of Community Engagement at IMOD. She was born in Stockholm and received her education at the Royal Swedish Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, The Boston Ballet, and Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet Training Program.
PATRIZIA HERMINJARD
Patrizia Herminjard (she/her/hers) serves as IMOD’s Director of Cinematic Engagement. Native to Switzerland, she is a choreographer, filmmaker, dancer and Lecturer in the Theater & Dance Department at Colorado College (‘96).
GABRIEL CARRION GONZALES
Gabriel Carrion-Gonzales (they/them) serves as the IMOD Co-Director Community Engagement in New Mexico. In his role at IMOD, Gabriel is dedicated to designing programming that responsibly responds to the communities IMOD collaborates with.
JASON NIOUS
Co-founder and director of the performance ensemble Molodi, Jason served as the inaugural IMOD Artist in Residence, bringing his incredible vision and experience to the debut of ROOTS.
ANTWAN DAVIS
Dedicated to breaking down musical and genre barriers through creative, interdisciplinary projects, Antwan shared his talents as a seasoned dance educator and body percussionist with IMOD AIR, Molodi.
