American Layercake, photo: Robert Leidner

David Herrera, Artistic Director

David is a choreographer, dancer, actor, and producer. He grew up in Hollywood, CA where he was influenced by the aspects of the movie industry along side the cultural eclecticism found within his neighborhood and his own Mexican/American Heritage.

David began as an actor and was introduced to modern dance while attending the University of California, Santa Cruz. He holds his B.A. in American Studies and Theater Arts.  He had the opportunity to learn and work with Mel Wong, one of his influences. In 2002 he returned to UCSC, receiving a Post-Graduate Certificate focusing on modern dance/theater. Upon graduating David headed to Los Angeles where he danced with Nannette Brody Dance Theater (Long Beach, CA).  In 2004 he relocated to San Francisco and officially launched DHPCo. in 2007.  Besides NBDT, David has danced for PUSH Dance Company(S.F.), Marina Fukushima, and in LevyDance’s On-Site work Intimate Visibility.  He has also guest choreographed for PUSH Dance Company.

As an actor, he studied under the guidance of Danny Scheie, Kathy Foley and Greg Fritsch. In Los Angeles he continued his interest in Meisner technique under the tutelage of William “Bill” Alderson of The William Alderson Acting Studio. David has taught dance/theater for LAUSD (Selma Ave Elementary, Hollywood, Ca), Pajaro Valley School District (Ohlone Elementary, Watsonville, Ca) and San Jose Unified School District (Dorsa Elementary, San Jose) through ArtsBridge Outreach.  In 2008 DHPCo. hosted a workshop at UCSC.

Jean Johnstone (Assistant Director/Dramaturge)  is freshly returned to the Bay Area after three years teaching and directing new work in Hong Kong, where she was the lead drama instructor at the Hong Kong University Graduate Association College, and a delegate at the IDEA international arts education congress.  Previously she was an artistic director of Rococo Risque Cabaret (best theatre ensemble sf weekly 2005). Her experience runs the gamut from Shakespeare to burlesque, including her influential study abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre.  She loves work in applied theater, in teaching, acting, and directing. Above all she enjoys collaborating with others to create new work on topics and stories that resonate deeply (and sometimes humorously) for those involved.

Dancers

Lynda Penados was introduced to her first dance class as a means to learn English.  What she discovered was the purity of communication and expression through movement.  Lynda holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors from UC Santa Barbara and was the recipient of the 2005 & 2006 Patricia Sparrow Award (UC Santa Barbara). Lynda further trained at The Place: London Contemporary Dance Theater and with Vardimon Dance Co.  She has worked with choreographers Tonia Shimin (UCSB), Stephanie Nugent (Nugent Dance), Keith Johnson (Keith Johnson & Dancers), and Jacinta Vlach (Liberation Dance Theater).  With the mentorship of Nancy Colahan, Lynda relived the legend and power of choreographer Jane Dudley’s 1944 piece Cante Flamenco.  Lynda has also produced her own choreography while at Santa Barbara.  Lynda currently nurtures her dance endeavors as a second year member of DHPCo. and teaching ZUMBA throughout they Bay Area.  Every drop of sweat is dedicated to a beautiful son and a loving, always encouraging husband.

Jaidah Terry is originally from Illinois. She recently finished training at Alonzo King’s LINES program. Introduced to formal training only six short years ago, Jaidah  has made a commitment to the dance/performance art form.  She has studied at Central Illinois Ballet School, Peoria Ballet Academy, Ballet Chicago, ABT Austin and Alonzo King’s LINES.  She has performed in various classical pieces such as The Nutcracker, Don Q, Cinderella, and La Bayadere. She is currently working with the Dancewright Project and Labayen Dance.  She is excited to be a part of DHPCo. for the first time.

Taylor Carvey is originally from a small town in Minnesota. She recently graduated from Saint Olaf College with a B.A. in Dance and History.  While at Saint Olaf, Taylor had the pleasure of working with faculty Janice Haws Roberts, Anthony Roberts, and Heather Klopchin, as well as guest artists Robin Stiehm, Keith Johnson, and John Beasant III.  Taylor spent the summer of 2008 at the American Dance Festival, training with Keith Thompson, Jen Nugent, Curt Haworth, Lisa Race and Abigail Yager.  This is Taylor’s first season with DHCPCo. and she is excited to be a part of it.

Sophia Formosa comes from Northern California’s Humboldt County, where her love of dance was nurtured within the local dance community of Feet First Dancers.  After high school, she entered into the dance program at UC Santa Barbara where she graduated with a BFA in Dance in 2008.  While in school, she had the pleasure of dancing in many student and faculty works, as well as several opportunities to present her own choreography.  Sophia a member of the UCSB Senior Dance Company which toured throughout California and China.  Since living in San Francisco, Sophia has worked with various choreographers, including Janice Garret, Charles Moulton, Byb Chanel, and Alison Williams.   She has been a member of Paco Gomes and Dancers since 2009 and happily joined the ranks of the David Herrera Performance Company midway through its 2010 season.

Sasha Caicedo was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She trained on scholarship at New World School of the Arts for both the high school and BFA program. At NWSA, Sasha had the opportunity to perform works by Michael Uttof, Darshawn, Peter London, Martha Graham, Limon, and Isadora Duncan. Since moving to San Francisco, she has enjoyed working with Breton Tyner-Bryan  Miranda Jones, and Norma Solorzano. This is Sasha’s first season and company contract with David Herrera

Sarah Coykendall is your stereotypical theatre brat. Raised by her actress/singer mother she began working in theatre at the ripe old age of 5 both on and off stage. Since moving to the bay area 5 years ago Sarah has called Impact Theatre of Berkeley her home where she is both a resident actor and artistic associate. This is Sarah’s first time working creatively with DHPCo’s directors David and Jean and would like to thank them both for this amazing role.

Helena Birecki has been moving to music (and silence) since her third Christmas when her parents put on a record of the Nutcracker and she lost all interest in the presents. She proceeded to delve into techniques from ballet to jazz to modern, and earned a BFA in dance from the University of Michigan.  Since moving back to the San Francisco area, she has had the pleasure of performing with groups including Lizz Roman and Dancers, the Spinning Yarns Dance Collective, and High Release Dance, and has presented her own choreography at West Wave Dance Festival, Collaboration! Music and Dance, and the San Jose Choreographer’s Project.  Helena is currently a member of number9/kelly kemp, and is excited for her first season with David Herrera Performance Company.

Molly Fletcher Lynch graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2007 where she studied sociology, psychology and dance. Upon graduating Molly moved to Boston where danced with the Heather Bryce Dance Company, Kelley Donovan and Dancers and Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company.  After Boston, she relocated to NYC where she continued to work with Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company as a dancer and Assistant Director. While in NYC, Molly also danced with Anahata Modern Dance Company, Keen Dance Theater and was recently seen in the off-off-Broadway musical, “Rock-On”. Molly has just moved to San Francisco and is loving exploring this new city, meeting new dancers, all while getting a taste of the West Coast. She is very excited to be part of David Herrera Performance Company and looks forward to an exciting and busy season.

As a young child Kaitlin Muse (apprentice) trained in gymnastics.  At age 14, she found her passion–dance.  She performed four years with Visions Dance Troupe in San Antonio, Texas, where she trained in jazz, ballet, modern, tap, and hip-hop.  She received a B.F.A. in Dance in 2009 from California State University at Long Beach, where she worked with such choreographers as Douglas Nielsen, Steve Koester, Regina Klenjoski, and Graham dancer Susan McLain.  Kaitlin was given the opportunity to perform a solo of her own choreography in a concert of undergraduate works, set to the stand-up comedy of Eddie Izzard.  In addition to choreography and performance, she worked as assistant to the technical director of the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theatre.  She was also a founding member of Body Current Dance Company under artistic director Lorin Johnson in Long Beach.  She is currently living, working and dancing in the Bay Area.

Production Personnel/Collaborators

Ray Oppenheimer graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz in2005. Since then he has designed lighting for The Magic Theatre, ShotgunPlayers, and Intersection for the Arts. He is excited to work with the David Herrera Performance Company.

Meghan Beitiks (Moe) (light design/scenographer) is a theater artist and technician based in Oakland, California. She studied Theater at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and at the Academy of Culture in Riga, Latvia on a Fulbright student fellowship. She’s the Resident Designer for DHPCo and has provided design and technical support for LEVYdance, PUSH Dance Company and SFSketchfest, working with comedians and sketch comedy groups such as Jimmy Pardo, Reno 911, Big Gay Sketch Show, and Cinematic Titanic.  She is an eco-arts columnist for inhabitat.com and Editor-in-Chief of greenmuseum.blog. Her own eco-design work has been featured on trendhunter.com.

Kevin Dusablon (Composer/ Musician) Originally from Vermont, Kevin spent years as a guitarist and saxophone player performing with various rock bands on the east coast.   After transplanting to the west, he has been focusing more on composition and sound design and is currently studying music production.  He can often be found working on audio and/or drinking coffee in the foggy sunset district of San Francisco. boomhouse.com