ARAX DANCE

ARAX Dance is an independent Armenian dance company, specializing in the art of traditional and contemporary movement. It was founded in 2003 under the leadership of former Artistic Director and Choreographer Noemi Araxi. Over the last two decades ARAX has gained recognition with performances throughout the Bay Area and beyond, representing Armenia in dance programs with an international focus. The company has performed at the Palace of Fine Arts, Herbst Theater, Zellerbach Hall, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) Theater and San Francisco City Hall as part of the Rotunda Dance Series. In 2015 ARAX Dance honored the centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a commemorative performance at San Francisco City Hall, featuring original historically-inspired choreographies that paid tribute to Armenian heritage and culture.

 

Choreographer | Noemi Araxi 

Noemi Araxi Kelejian is an Armenian-American ballet and ice skating choreographer, master teacher and former Principal Dancer with the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater. Identified at a young age for her talent and passion for dance, Noemi was invited to attend the National Choreographic Ballet College of Armenia in Yerevan. Her teachers were the most influential in the field of ballet from throughout the former Soviet Union. Upon graduation, Noemi joined the National Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia and rapidly advanced to become one of its principal dancers, performing throughout some of the world's most opulent stages, including the Kirov (presently Mariinsky) and Bolshoi theaters, the Grand Opera Theater in Paris and Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. She performed distinguished roles in Lorkiana, Antuni, Chopiniana, Hamlet, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Laurencia, Gayanne, Spartacus, Giselle, Masquerade, Othello and Romeo and Juliet among many others. In the early 1980s, Noemi moved to San Francisco and joined the faculty of San Francisco Ballet, where she taught higher level dance classes for eight years. She has also taught and choreographed throughout the Bay Area’s foremost ballet schools and companies. In 2003, Noemi founded ARAX Dance. As the group’s Choreographer and former Artistic Director she began developing a unique storytelling approach to cultural dance that instantly set her company apart. She choreographed "The Crane" for Armenian ballerina Victoria Ananyan as a tribute to legendary Armenian composer Komitas. 

 

Guest Soloist | Naomi Sailors

A native of Fremont, California, Naomi Sailors received her dance training at various schools around the Bay Area, most notably Ballet San Jose School under Dalia Rawson, Le Mai Linh and Mads Eriksen. She has danced professionally with several companies including The New Ballet, Menlowe Ballet, and Oceanica Ballet, and as a guest artist with San Jose Dance Theatre and Western Ballet. Notable repertoire at PBT includes Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Maria Elena in Gregory Amato’s Ghost Dances, Kitri’s Friends in Don Quixote, Death in Marika Brussel’s Unleashed, and roles in Carmina Burana, Carmen, and Mozart Requiem. Naomi is also one of the founding directors of em(body) Dance Project, and choreographs commissioned works around the Bay Area. Additionally, she is a certified instructor in the Gyrotonic Method and ABT National Training Curriculum Levels Primary - 5. Naomi joined Peninsula Ballet Theatre in the Fall of 2022 and ARAX Dance in the Summer of 2025.

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ASSOCIATION OF RAMAYTUSH OHLONE

THE ASSOCIATION OF RAMAYTUSH OHLONE (ARO) represents the interests of the original peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula. The purposes of the ARO align with our ancestral responsibilities to care for Mother Earth and to care for the people who reside in our ancestral homeland. The ARO partners with other organizations and agencies to pursue its objectives:
• the rematriation of our ancestral homeland
• cultural revitalization, including language
• research, consultation, and education to ensure accuracy in public culture and history
• ecological restoration
• community service
 

GREGG CASTRO [t'rowt'raahl Salinan/rumsien & ramaytush Ohlone] has worked preserving his own as well as California indigenous heritage for more than three decades as an activist -writer. Among his many endeavors in ‘Indian Country’, he is Culture Director for the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone nonprofit; the Society for California Archaeology’s ‘Native American Programs Committee’ Chair; and Adviser to the California Indian Conference and California Indian History Curriculum Coalition among many other organizational roles.

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BALLET FOLKLÓRICO MEXICANO DE CARLOS MORENO

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CARLOS MORENO, JR.

BALLET FOLKLORICO MEXICANO DE CARLOS MORENO was founded in 1967 by Carlos Moreno Samaniego. They aim to share and spread Mexican culture and folklore. In 1980, the company was named the official ambassador for ongoing cultural activities with Mexico and has held the title for over twenty years. They hold consistent tours in Mexican cities including Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Aguascalientes, and Durango and draw artistic inspiration from many regions of Mexico. The artistic director, Carlos Moreno Jr. has been dancing and studying Mexican folk dance since he was 3 and later became a corps dancer with Ballet Folclórico de Mexico of Amalia Hernandez. During this time he toured North and Central America, Europe, and the Orient. In 1992 he returned to San Francisco and has been the company’s main choreographer since.

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BALLET NLOLO KONGO

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MASSENGO CONSTANCE

MASSENGO CONSTANCE is a master drummer and choreographer hailing from Brazzaville, Congo. With a passion for music and dance, Massengo honed his skills as a drummer and brought his talent to the Bay Area in the ‘90s. Inspired by his roots and the rich cultural heritage of Congo Brazzaville, Massengo founded Ballet Nlolo Kongo, a collective of artists that showcases the traditional rhythms and movements of his homeland. In collaboration with Fua Dia Kongo, a longstanding group with roots dating back to 1977, Massengo continues to bridge cultures and share his artistry with the world through Ballet Nlolo Kongo. 

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CALPULLI TONALEHQUEH

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MITLAL TILLI

CALPULLI TONALEHQUEH was established in 2004. The Calpulli Tonalehqueh is an Aztec dance group whose foundation is based on wisdom, harmony and culture. Tonalehqueh is a metaphorical term meaning, “Those who accompany the sun along its journey.” referring to those who strive to reach their full potential and use the characteristics of the sun as their goal for self-development and existence. Calpulli Tonalehqueh, just like the sun, aspires to be strong, creative, life giving, steady, virtuous, humble and balanced. The Azteca dancers hold events such as Aztec Mexican New Year and The Day of the Dead to come together and honor their ancestors, celebrate their culture and learn from one another.

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CHARYA BURT CAMBODIAN DANCE

CHARYA BURT is an acclaimed master dancer, choreographer, vocalist and teacher of Classical Cambodian Dance. After the Khmer Rouge genocide, Charya trained extensively with Cambodia’s foremost surviving dance masters, eventually joining the dance faculty of Cambodia’s Royal University of Fine Arts. She is an Inaugural Dance/USA Fellow and 2022 Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellow, Isadora Duncan award winner and recipient of a 2021 Hewlett 50 Arts Commission, The Rebirth of Apsara, that premiered at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center in 2024. Charya is currently touring an adaptation of that work that she created for the 50th Anniversary of the Cambodian genocide, The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide, that was produced most recently in Lowell, Massachusetts last month. Charya’s mission is to continue to preserve and renew her art-form and to create innovative new works firmly rooted in tradition. A true culture bearer, she is founding artistic director of Charya Burt Cambodian Dance, based in the San Francisco North Bay.

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CHITRESH DAS DANCE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CHARLOTTE MORAGA

CHITRESH DAS DANCE (CDD) was founded in 2016 is part of the umbrella organization, the Chitresh Das Institute, and is led by one of the foremost disciples of Pandit Chitresh Das, Charlotte Moraga. CDD presents works of kathak dance that are grounded in the tradition while reflecting the urgency of the moment. Under Moraga's brilliant artistic leadership, Chitresh Das Dance has performed in some prestigious venues throughout the U.S., and in Feb 2024 completed a three city tour of India with the Telegraph, Kolkata's largest newspaper proclaiming " ‘Invoking the River’ was more than just a dance performance; it offered a cultural odyssey, a celebration of inter-connectedness and a poignant commentary on environmental challenges." The Hindu said "...'Invoking the river’ was a blend of well-composed music and defly choreographed dance movements." Our school, the Chitresh Das Institute, offers over 30 classes per week with over 200 students and 9 teachers at four Bay Area locations: San Mateo, Cupertino, San Ramon, and San Francisco. For more information visit www.chitreshdasinstitute.org.

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ENSAMBLES BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE SAN FRANCISCO

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ZENÓN BARRÓN

ENSAMBLES BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE SAN FRANCISCO was founded by Zenón Barrón and Jorge Pacheco (1970-1997) in 1992. What began as a gathering of a few dancers has now grown into three generations of dancers and over hundreds of individuals that have been touched and inspired by the artistic vision of Zenón Barrón. Prior to founding Ensambles, Zenón toured throughout the United States and Europe as a dancer with Ballet Folklórico de México. He has performed as part of other dance companies in México such as Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Guadalajara, Ballet Folklórico de Jaime Bernal, and Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzalli. Zenón is a researcher of Mexican and Latin American folklore, costume design and scenic design. He graduated from Instituto de Artes Escénicas en Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico – and in 2009, he earned his Doctorate from the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. To this day, Ensambles remains a unique dance ensemble made up of a diverse group of 40 talented dancers who vary in levels of experience, age and professions. Ranging from high school students to seasoned dance professionals, all are committed to the continuation of one of the richest manifestations of tradition and culture in México—folkloric dance. 
 

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FENG YE DANCE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FENG YE

FENG YE DANCE STUDIO was founded in 2017 by Artistic Director Ms. Feng Ye, former President and Artistic Director of the China National Song and Dance Troupe. She was honored with the title of “National First-Class Dancer” by the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Her distinguished performance career includes appearances at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and she served as choreographer for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. 
 

Since its founding, the studio has consistently produced high-caliber stage works each year and has been invited to perform at prestigious international venues. Notably, the company appeared at the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2024 and was invited to perform at the Louvre Museum in Paris in 2025 as part of the official commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. 
 

In addition, the studio has been the exclusive Chinese New Year dance guest for three consecutive years at Westfield Valley Fair, the largest indoor shopping mall in the United States—connecting the world through dance, telling stories through art, and expressing the beauty and harmony that transcend borders with every graceful step. 
 

Over the years, FENG YE DANCE STUDIO and its performing company have received numerous professional accolades. With a creative foundation rooted in Oriental aesthetics and traditional Chinese culture, the studio blends diverse artistic forms with contemporary and experimental concepts. It is committed to creating original works that speak to modern sensibilities while fostering intercultural understanding and has become a vital voice in the cultural landscape of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Chinese American community.

 

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GURUS OF DANCE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ADITYA PATEL

GURUS OF DANCE, founded in 2009, is America's largest and most exciting Bollywood dance company! We offer a wide variety of dance classes for all levels, taught by expert choreographers and passionate instructors at our 7 convenient locations across the Bay Area. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, our welcoming community will inspire you to unleash the inner dancer in you!

 

Our company dancers have performed for the NBA Golden State Warriors at halftime and also became the first Bollywood dance group to perform on ice for the San Jose Sharks! Over the years, our company's dancers have had distinguished opportunities to perform on stage with various celebrities namely Malaika Arora, Baadshah, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Falguni Pathak to name a few. In 2018, our dance crew became the National Champions of Zee TV's Dance USA Dance. 

 

Come dance with us and experience the magic of Bollywood at www.gurusofdance.com.

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INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS OF AMERICA

EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR YANG YANG LYON

INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS OF AMERICA (IPAA) is a non-profit dance group based in the Bay Area that is passionate about celebrating East Asian culture through motion and choreography.

 

IPAA believes that dance has the power to promote the diversity and richness of ethnic groups, while also allowing us to tell our personal stories. Our group includes professional dancers from Beijing Dance Academy and San Jose Ballet trained in Chinese dance, ethnic dance, and ballet, as well as dance enthusiasts from all over the Bay Area. Coming from different walks of life, we bond over dance as our common language to communicate with the world.

 

Since our inception in 2018, we have showcased numerous original choreographies representing a variety of styles and cultures. Each year, we also invite and collaborate with performers around the world to celebrate our differences in effort to create a truly inclusive and diverse community of artists.

 

YANG YANG LYON channels the creative forces at IPAA into a unified artistic vision. At the age of twelve, she was granted a scholarship to the Beijing Dance Academy. What followed was over two decades of Gold Medal championship wins and leading roles. Yang Yang worked in China and internationally, including at the Chinese National Opera and Ballet, CPAA, and on film with director Zhang Yi Mou.

 

In 2018, Yang Yang assumed responsibility for IPAA’s artistic and operational direction. She has led the dance troupe successfully through the COVID crisis, enabling artists to connect with the community through online classes, benefit performances, and community virtual work-outs.

 

 

JUBILEE AMERICAN DANCE THEATRE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BECKY COULTER

Formed in 1999 by Hilary Roberts, JUBILEE AMERICAN DANCE THEATRE is a unique performance ensemble, bringing to life dances, music, songs, and stories of the folks who made America. From Appalachia to Swing Era dance halls to Cajun Country, North American Whalers, Baja California to America's immigrants, Jubilee transports audiences to another time and place. Jubilee's work is set in context: the costume staff goes to great lengths to research and reproduce authentic costumes of each era. Likewise, the choral and music directors recreate regional and historical musical styles.
 

Directed by Becky Coulter since 2009, Jubilee's mission is to preserve and celebrate the dance, song, and music of the American Folk Tradition through artistic excellence in performance and education for local and international audiences.

 

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KANTUTA BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE BOLIVIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LILY VARGAS LINO

Founded in 2006, KANTUTA BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE BOLIVIA is a cultural dance organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area, dedicated to preserving and promoting Bolivia’s rich folkloric traditions. Through dynamic performances and community engagement, the group showcases the diversity of Bolivian dance, music, and costume—from the highlands to the tropics. Known for their authenticity, artistry, and vibrant stage presence, Kantuta has performed throughout California and nationally, sharing Bolivian culture with pride and passion.  

 

LILY VARGAS LINO is one of the founders and the Artistic Director of Kantuta Ballet Folklórico de Bolivia. A first-generation Bolivian-American raised in California, Lily has devoted nearly two decades to the promotion of Bolivian cultural heritage through the performing arts. With a background in dance, education, and community organizing, she leads the group with a focus on cultural preservation, youth mentorship, and artistic excellence. Her vision continues to shape Kantuta as a hub of cultural identity and creative expression.

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MELISSA CRUZ FLAMENCO

MELISSA CRUZ is a Bay Area-based flamenco professional and has been a full-time flamenco artist and instructor for the past 15 years.  She began training with the Bay Area’s acclaimed flamenco master Rosa Montoya and soon thereafter, joined Ms. Montoya's professional company. Melissa has performed as a soloist in the San Francisco International Arts Festival and has presented in eight San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festivals, twice as a featured soloist. In 2013, she was commissioned to present a solo representing the genre of flamenco in the San Francisco Isadora Duncan Awards Ceremony.  She teaches a full schedule of classes and mentors her students in their development of flamenco knowledge and interpretation culminating in formal annual recitals, of which she has produced eight consecutively.  Enjoying a concurrent musical career, she is percussionist/drummer/dancer with several active musical projects.  She currently continues as principal dancer and choreographer for the San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company and has collaborated with Flamenco Fever (Dallas) Oleaje Flamenco (Seattle), Quiero Flamenco (Spokane), Arte y Pasion (San Antonio), Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, (Miami), Tucson Flamenco Festival (Tucson) St. Louis Flamenco Society (St. Louis, MO), Flamenco Pacifico (Portland, OR) Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco and Caminos Flamencos (San Francisco).  Recently, she was Artistic Director of "The Flamenco Room" San Francisco’s longest running cabaret flamenco show.  Summer 2021 saw Melissa featured in the one-woman flamenco theater play, "Flamenco on my Own" produced in collaboration with Ballet Flamenco La Rosa in Miami and as a featured performer and instructor at the 2021 Festival Flamenco Albuquerque presented by the National Institute of Flamenco. From 2020 to 2022, she was a Producer for Arts in the Basin, curating the program’s Friday night live performances.  In 2023, Melissa was featured in the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and the World Arts West Festival in San Francisco, the Peninsula International Dance Festival (2022-2024) and in 2025, the San Francisco International Arts Festival.  

 

In addition to her accomplished artistic career, Melissa is a Bachelor of the Arts graduate of UC Berkeley and holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco.  

 

As described by Rachel Howard of the SF Chronicle: "Any dancer could make pained faces. But Cruz is clearly possessed by the duende -- the spirit that drives this deeply introspective art.”

 

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PARANGAL DANCE COMPANY

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ERIC SOLANO

PARANGAL DANCE COMPANY Aspires to Inspire! We are a non-profit, Filipino Folk Dance & Music Company based in the unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Territory also known as San Francisco in California, USA. 

 

Our mission and vision Parangal’s mission is to give tribute to Philippine heritage by preserving and promoting ethnic attire, music, and dance through research, workshops, and performances. We aim to serve as a bridge, inspiring and connecting Filipinos in diaspora to their roots to give them a sense of pride and identity, while educating diverse communities to foster awareness and appreciation of Philippine culture.

 

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PENINSULA BALLET THEATRE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR GREGORY AMATO

 PENINSULA BALLET THEATRE inspires passion and creates joy with live productions through a collaboration of dedicated artists, artisans and supporters. Founded in 1967 by Dick Ford and Richard Gibson as the non-profit performing vehicle for students in their ballet school, then Peninsula Ballet School, the first professional dancers trained outside the school were hired in 1971 to form a separate permanent company. PBT is the Bay Area's second oldest professional ballet company in continuous operation. Joining as artistic director in 2017, Greg Amato has cultivated a company of professional dancers that performs a full season of wide-ranging repertory. Continuing its 56-year tradition as the artistic and cultural hub of San Mateo County, Peninsula Hip Hop Productions was added in 2016, and Peninsula Broadway Productions made its debut in 2022.

 

GREGORY AMATO has a wide breadth of experience in the international world of ballet. Mr. Amato has performed in over 50 countries, including for the Queen of England, two presidents, numerous ambassadors, dignitaries, and prime ministers.

He was selected by New York City Ballet principal dancer Edward Villella to become a founding member of the Miami City Ballet, before performing with the Ballet du Nord in France. He was then similarly chosen by Michael Smuin as a founding member of Smuin Ballet. While dancing there, Michael Smuin created several ballets on Mr. Amato, including "Frankie and Johnny,” and "Cyrano." He also appeared in the movie, "The Fantastics," which Smuin choreographed.

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Mr. Amato's primary teacher and inspiration was New York City Ballet soloist Nolan T'Sani. He studied on full scholarship at the San Francisco Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.

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Mr. Amato competed and won the gold medal in the Fred Astaire International Ballroom Dance Competition. Despite his impressive ballet career, his personal highlight was his experience as the featured dancer at Carnegie Hall for the 100th Celebration of George Gershwin’s birthday.

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Mr. Amato has been the Artistic Director at Peninsula Ballet Theatre and PBT Conservatory since 2017, where he has created over 40 original works, including full-length productions of The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Carmina Burana, Carnival of the Animals, and Carmen. 

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PERU EXPRESSIONS

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MÓNICA MENDOZA

MONICA MENDOZA – Director of Perú Expressions Dance Academy

Monica Mendoza is the founder and director of Perú Expressions, a dance academy dedicated to preserving and sharing the richness of Latin American culture through traditional dance. Monica began dancing at the age of six and quickly rose to prominence, winning her first championship in her native Peru. Before moving to the United States, she earned the title of National Champion in Marinera Norteña, Peru’s elegant and iconic coastal dance. Upon arriving in the U.S., Monica continued to excel winning multiple national and international dance competitions, including a World Championship in Marinera Norteña. Her passion and talent have made her a leading ambassador for South American traditional dances, specializing in styles from Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.

 

In 2024, Monica competed in San Francisco Carnaval and proudly won the crown, showcasing Marinera Norteña and honoring her indigenous roots. Today, she represents not only Peru but the vibrant diversity of Latin American culture in the Bay Area.

 

Peru Expressions Dance Academy

Founded in 2012, Perú Expressions Dance Academy is dedicated to cultivating and sharing the richness of Peruvian culture in the United States. We offer dance classes for all ages whether for social dancing, theater performances, or competitive training.

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More than just a dance school, Peru Expressions is a community and a family. Our mission is to educate new generations about the beauty of our culture, encouraging them to respect it, embody it, and share it with pride.

 

As a competitive dance academy, we strive for excellence in every performance. But above all, our goal is to showcase and celebrate Peruvian traditions bringing them to life on every stage and in every heart.

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STUCK SANDERS

Stuck Sanders was introduced to dance at the age of 12 when his mom was looking for a creative outlet for the obviously athletic youngster who was not all that thrilled with traditional organized sports. After one hip-hop class he was hooked and headed for a career in the world of art and dance. In just a few years he was performing in the half time shows of the Sacramento Kings basketball games and earning a reputation as a top freestyler where the dancer is encouraged to create new moves and develop a personal style. Soon he was known for his style of Turf Dancing incorporating strong narrative with storytelling and mime and burnished his reputation participating in numerous Battle Dances. At 19 he headed to Los Angeles for more vigorous training in hip-hop choreography. In 2012 he joined Academy of Villains as principal dancer/choreographer where his choreography became known for its strong theatrical flair. There he and Ale Martinez became one of the AOV main dance partners and in December 2015 they formed The Tribe where they could continue to foster the art form and pass on their many talents to new hip-hop artists. As an Independent artist he serves as director of Peninsula Hip-Hop Productions where he brings hip-hop artists from throughout the United States to present the hip-hop dance style in narrative storytelling..

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TAALSUTRA

TaalSutra Performing Directors

 

Arundhati Parmar 

Arundhati is a trained Classical Manipuri dancer. When she was 4, she enrolled as a student of Manipuri Nartanalaya founded by the legendary Manipuri exponent Guru Bipin Singh. She has performed on stage in Kolkata and Jaipur, India and on local television. After a long pause, she rediscovered Manipuri dance in the Bay Area under the tutelage of Guru Sanjib Bhattacharya. Arundhati has performed in Seattle and Las Vegas in addition to several local events in the Bay Area.

 

She currently learns from India-based Guru Latasana Devi, the winner of 2022 National Sangeet Akademi Award for her contribution to Manipuri Dance. Arundhati also choreographs dance and has led community dancers in several Bay Area performances. She has recently started teaching Manipuri dance as well. She is also adept at semi-classical styles. When she is not dancing, Arundhati is the editor-in-chief of MedCity News, an industry publication covering innovation in healthcare and the mother of two high-schoolers.

 

Kanika Mitra Bhattacharya 

Kanika is a student and an assistant teacher of Odissi dance at Guru Shradha in Palo Alto under Guru Niharika Mohanty. 

 

She started learning this classical dance form more than a decade ago in Bangalore under Guru Sharmila Mukerjee and performed in various venues such as Konark dance festival, Mukteswar dance festival, Dover Lane Dance festival and more. She also performed in Tunisia sponsored by Ministry of Cultural affairs, Government of India. She performed in many festivals in Bay Area also like Kelucharan Keerti Sampradaya, Kelucharan Guna Keertana, Nrityamela etc. She performed solo and also as an Ensemble group. She has done choreography on different classical and semi-classical dances. She is continuously doing workshops with Guru Suja Mahaparta and Guru Sharmila Mukerjee. 

 

Kanika is a software engineer by profession and mom of a high schooler. She loves hiking, traveling and biking.

 

Mousumi Bose

Mousumi is trained in classical Odissi and Manipuri dance forms. She started her Odissi journey under Guru Niharika Mohanty in the SF Bay area. She has  participated in many workshops conducted by distinguished Odissi stalwarts from India and is currently a senior disciple of Guru Vishnu Tattva Das.

 

Mousumi trained extensively in Manipuri dance throughout her childhood years under Smt. Gouri Datta, senior disciple of legendary Guru Bipin Singh. She has also explored contemporary dance styles under the guidance of Smt. Tanushree Shankar, Smt. Mallika Sarabhai, Sri Sanjib Bhattacharya and Sri Sudarshan Chakraborty.

 

Mousumi has choreographed and performed in many cultural events in the SF Bay Area, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Phoenix, as well as in Kolkata, India. Some of her notable dance moments include performing in front of Indian PM Narendra Modi (2015) and representing Bengal in the multi-media production The Partition:1947 (2018), in collaboration with Enacte Arts.

 

When she is not dancing , Mousumi is a senior product management leader in data analytics and AI at Salesforce.

 

Urmi Chakraborty

From the tender age of four, Urmi Chakraborty embarked on her Kathak dance journey, first under the tutelage of Smt. Shubhra Mukhopadhyaya in the Jaipur Gharana style, later advancing her skills with Smt. Gopa Basu, a protégé of Pandit Vijay Shankar, in the Lucknow Gharana tradition. Her performances have spanned from Kolkata, India, to various cultural events in the San Francisco Bay Area, Las Vegas, and Seattle. She has been teaching Kathak since 2021 at Sunbollywood school. Urmi has also learned Manipuri and Indian contemporary dance from Guru Sanjib Bhattacharya. She is also the Cultural Director of Bay Area Prabasi, a 50-year Bengali community organization in the Bay Area and leads various dance productions. 

Urmi has taken center stage in several productions, including a notable performance in "Cillapadikadam," a revered ancient Tamil epic and Chandalika- a Tagore’s dance drama. She is currently honing her Kathak skills under the guidance of Guru Nirmala Madhava and Sourav Roy. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Urmi is a biotech scientist in the San Francisco Bay Area and the mother of a nine-year-old.

 

Invited Ensemble

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Mayuri Chakraborty

Mayuri Chakraborty is a dancer, choreographer, and performer originating from Kolkata, India, specializing in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, folk dances, and Rabindra Nritya. A graduate in sociology from St. Xavier’s College, she holds a master's degree in Bharatanatyam from Tamil University, Chennai. Before moving to California, Mayuri was a Bharatanatyam teacher at Delhi Public School and has trained over 300 dancers in her dance journey. 

 

She is a certified Dance Movement Therapist from Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, and worked with several NGO’s especially for mental health patients and trafficked children. 

She also teaches and performs Bollywood and Indian contemporary styles. Having performed in prestigious classical festivals and television programs across India, she  has also collaborated with the US Consulate General Kolkata on several dance projects. Mayuri is the founder of Nritya Mayuri group of dance and continues to perform in the Bay Area and choreograph dance teams.

 

Rekha Garg

Rekha is a dedicated Bharatanatyam artist, performer, and teacher committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of this classical art form. Her journey began at age three with early training under Kalamandalam Smt. Rema in both Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. After moving to the U.S. over a decade ago, her artistic path deepened under the mentorship of Guru Shri Madurai R Muralidharan. As his disciple, she continues intensive training in Bharatanatyam and Nattuvangam and is currently part of his Margam 10 series, aspiring to master his jathi creations.

 

Rekha founded Mudra Nrityalaya to nurture the next generation of dancers, emphasizing discipline, artistry, and emotive storytelling. She actively performs in Bay Area cultural events and in her guru’s large-scale productions such as Vayuputhra, Sanga Tamil, and Shakuntalam at Lady Andal Auditorium, Chennai. Through Bharatanatyam, Rekha seeks to guide students on a journey of self-discovery while honoring her guru’s artistic vision.

 

Sharmistha Pal

Sharmishtha started learning the foundational techniques of different Indian classical dances at the age of 4  in Children's Little Theatre in Kolkata, India. She later trained extensively in Manipuri under Guru Smt Paushali Chatterjee. She moved to the U.S. as a student and then later after becoming a working professional, she has continued her passion for dance by learning choreography from Arundhati Parmar and other senior Manipuri teachers and performed in several local productions. She continues to explore other dance styles, occasionally engaging in hip hop, semi-classical, and contemporary dance in the Bay Area.

 

Outside of dance, Sharmishtha is a hardware engineer with Google. 

 

Vrushali Mundhe

Vrushali began her Kathak journey at the age of six in India under the guidance of Dr. Manjiri Deo. After moving to the U.S. for her master’s degree, she continued her training under the legendary late Pt. Chitresh Das. For the past seven years, she has pursued advanced training and has completed her Nritya Visharad under Guru Deepali Vichare. She also teaches Kathak at Aarat Kathak School. Vrushali has choreographed and performed in numerous productions across the U.S., weaving classical elegance with emotional depth. Deeply rooted in tradition yet creatively expressive, she is passionate about sharing India’s classical and folk art forms with global audiences.

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TAIKO SOBA

TAIKO SOBA is a young taiko ensemble under the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Dharma School. The group formed in 2016 as a way of giving friends the opportunity to play taiko together once again. The members come from a variety of backgrounds, including collegiate taiko, former Dharma School students, and other taiko groups throughout the country. Taiko SOBA enjoys sharing taiko with the Bay Area community and is excited to be performing at this year’s Peninsula International Dance Festival!

 

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THEATRE FLAMENCO OF SAN FRANCISCO

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER/DANCER CAROLA ZERTUCHE

THEATRE FLAMENCO OF SAN FRANCISCO presents an innovative approach to flamenco to enrich and inspire the art community and general public of our city and region. The troupe produces richly imaginative thematic shows with local and international artists, teaches and mentors a new generation of talent, and maintains strong ties to the traditional flamenco communities of Spain.

 

Founded in 1966 by Adela Clara, Theatre Flamenco is the oldest flamenco dance company in the Bay Area and San Francisco’s second oldest dance company (after the San Francisco Ballet).

 

The company began in an era when Latinos were moving into and making their cultural mark on San Francisco, and for decades Artistic Director, Miguel Santos, led the organization with the goal of promoting the artistic heritage of the Latino arts. The company has produced an original home season production in San Francisco annually since its inception 57 years ago. In 2008, Santos appointed Carola Zertuche as his successor to push the community dance troupe to new artistic heights. Zertuche’s focus was expanding the company’s visibility and programming beyond its annual home season, including touring, student training and performances, and community outreach.

 

During Zertuche’s first year of leadership, critic Renee Renouf of the UK’s Ballet.co observed that “since Carola Zertuche assumed artistic direction, the ensemble has shifted from essentially a community-oriented emphasis to one leaning heavily on professional aspirations.... If the changes progress in this spirit, the Bay Area might add a highly-polished flamenco ensemble to its roster of dance jewels.”

 

In the decade since, Zertuche’s Theatre Flamenco has delivered on that promise, alternating traditional shows with genre-fusing works in its annual home seasons and performances throughout the year. Melding flamenco with artistic elements like modern dance, electronic music, or light installments, the company has built a reputation of providing a uniquely West Coast lens on the Spanish art form.

 

CAROLA ZERTUCHE (Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer), born in Torreon, Mexico, has collaborated with international and local artists in productions paying homage to traditional styles of flamenco since assuming the artistic directorship of the company in 2008. She has toured Mexico, USA, South America, Canada, and the Middle East, dancing with various flamenco companies, and performed at New York’s Joyce Theater and Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts. Zertuche has collaborated on projects with flamenco dancers such as Andres Marin, Carmen Ledesma, Pastora Galvan, Adela Campallo, Jesus Carmona, Nino de los Reyes among others. In 2017, she made her San Francisco Opera debut as the choreographer for La Traviata. Her later production Soul y Alma, a sold out performance at the Herbst Theatre, was named “one of the best performances of 2020” by Bay Area dance critic, Rita Felciano.

 

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TRADICIÓN PERUANA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JUAN DE DIOS SOTO

TRADICIÓN PERUANA CULTURAL CENTER was established in San Francisco in 1994 with the mission to develop and diffuse the rich diversity of art from Peruvian cultures in the Bay Area and beyond. Tradicion Peruana offers an array of programs and services to children, youth and adults to promote cultural learning opportunities for a range of ages and communities.

JUAN DE DIOS SOTO is an artist who was born in Lima, Peru in 1965, and from an early age was surrounded by music and dance in his home and community. Juan has directed and promoted his group to participate in a diversity of events, presenting traditional Afro Peruvian music and dance.

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Vocalists

 

Erdun Suhe

A renowned young Mongolian long song vocalist and cultural inheritor, Erdun Suhe is a leading figure in the Inner Mongolia Performing Arts Theatre’s Folk Art Troupe.

 

She has been featured multiple times on China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala and variety programs, and is a Gold Award winner at the National Ethnic Minority Folk Song Competition.

 

Weina

A member of the Folk Art Troupe of Inner Mongolia Performing Arts Theatre, Weina is an ethnic Daur artist from Hulunbuir.

 

She played the lead role of the bride in the original ethnic stage production "The Eternal Sacred Flame," which earned her an Individual Performance Award at the 2nd Inner Mongolia Mongolian-Language Theatre Showcase. She won Second Prize in the Pop Vocal category at the 3rd "Grassland in Autumn" Music Competition, and the New Artist Award for her performance of "Hero Jianggar" at the 2023 Inner Mongolia Folk Art Showcase.

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Weina has performed on numerous Mongolian and Chinese New Year galas and represented Inner Mongolia in performances across Sweden, Tunisia, Mauritania, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Macao, and Taiwan.

 

Zhang Ying
A celebrated soprano with the Dance and Song Troupe of the Inner Mongolia Performing Arts Theatre, Zhang Ying is also a three-time representative at the Hohhot People’s Congress.
 

Her accolades include:

• Silver and Gold Awards in the Ethnic Vocal category of the Inner Mongolia Vocal Chamber Music Competitions (2007, 2011)

• Gold Award at the Inner Mongolia Red Song Competition (2009)

• Silver Award in the Inner Mongolia Division of the National Youth Singer Competition (2012)
  With over 20 years of professional experience, Zhang Ying has performed extensively both in China and internationally. In 2015, she held a solo recital at Xiamen University’s School of Music.
  She is known for her warm and sincere vocal tone and emotionally rich performances.
  Published songs include:
  "Ten Thousand Miles of Tea, Ten Thousand Miles of Love", "Snow Love", "Home", "Right Bank of the Erguna River", "Moonlight on the Grassland", "Cradle Song of Qingcheng", "Longing", "Unleashing Spring", "Dear Baby Dear", "Thinking of You on the Yellow River Bank", "Meeting the Herd Again", "Hometown of White Clouds", and "Building the Chinese Dream".

 

Baoyin Chaoketu
A National Class One Performer, member of the International Khoomei Association, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Inner Mongolia Morin Khuur Association. He is also a board member of the Inner Mongolia Quyi (Folk Arts) Association.
 

Career highlights include:

• 2007: Performed in the Vienna Golden Hall’s Spring Festival Concert in Austria

• 2013: Won “Best Newcomer” at the 5th National Ethnic Minority Folk Art Showcase

• Has participated in cultural exchange performances in the U.S., Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Mauritania, Tunisia, Sweden, Latvia, Belarus, and more.

• 2023: Won Gold for his epic folk piece "Hero Jianggar" at the 8th National Ethnic Minority Folk Art Showcase

• 2024: His original epic "Gesar: The Demon Subduing Chapter" received a Performance Nomination Award at the 13th National Quyi (Folk Art) Peony Awards

• 2025: The same work was selected for performance at the 20th Majie Book Fair’s Outstanding Folk Arts Showcase

 

Instrumentalists

 

Suerge
A Mongolian ethnic musician and morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) performer with the Inner Mongolia Folk Orchestra. He holds a bachelor’s degree in morin khuur performance from the Inner Mongolia University School of Arts, and a master’s from the Mongolian University of Culture and Arts.
 

He is a member of the Chinese Musicians Association and serves as a board member of both the International Morin Khuur Association and the Inner Mongolia Musicians Association.
 

Highlights include:

• 2015: Solo concert “Voice of the Xilin River” in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan

• 2016: Participated in the China National Arts Fund morin khuur principal training program

• 2019: Selected for Inner Mongolia's elite artist training program and featured in its showcase performance

• 2021: Completed training for high-level talents in Inner Mongolia’s cultural sector

• 2023: Presented the “Homeland” Morin Khuur Concerto in collaboration with the Inner Mongolia Folk Orchestra

• 2024: Released the “Homeland” solo album

• 2024: Selected as a National Outstanding Young Bowed String Instrumentalist in the “Yiyuan Xieying” Talent Program

 

Liu Jing
Currently a plucked-string instrumentalist with the Inner Mongolia Folk Orchestra. She holds a master’s degree from the Inner Mongolia University School of Arts and is skilled in both pipa and the traditional Mongolian huobusi.Trained from childhood in pipa, she later studied huobusi under intangible cultural heritage inheritor Urina.
 

Notable performances include:

• 2017: Pipa concerto “Tea Road in the Snow” in the major concert “Silk Road Grassland”

• Member of the ensemble group G.L.Y. Ge Li Ya
  Recent accolades:

• First Prize at the 2022 Hong Kong International Music Festival

• Third Prize at the Magnolia International Music Festival

• Second Prize at the Inner Mongolia Regional Instrumental Competition
  Liu Jing is widely recognized for her technical precision and deep musicality, and remains an active presence on the performance stage.

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