FLOCK’s Digital 2021 season

EMILIE LERICHE - DANCER

Leriche began her career in 2011 dancing with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s second company; in 2013 she was promoted to their main company, where she stayed four seasons. Nominated by the company, in 2015, she was awarded a Fellowship in dance through the Princess Grace Award Foundation. In 2017, Leriche moved to Göteborg, Sweden to dance for GöteborgsOperans Danskompani where she is currently based. During this time, she has also travelled to Israel to remount and perform Roy Assaf’s ‘Girls,’ and created her own work on Scapino Ballet Rotterdam.

SABINE GROENENDIJK - DANCER

Sabine Groenendijk, 30 years old, is from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. After graduating Codarts University for the Arts in 2012, she began her career at the 'Hessisches Staatstheater' in Wiesbaden, Germany, with director Stephan Thoss. She stayed there for four seasons until 2016 when she joined 'National Dance Company of Wales' with director Caroline Finn for two productions. After that she started freelance work with '420 People’ a company led by Vaclav Kunes in Prague, and did a collaboration with Eastman of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. In 2017, she moved to Sweden to join GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, where she currently still works.

ALANA DA SILVA - FILMMAKER

Alana is a Canadian born filmmaker and photographer based in Gothenburg, Sweden. She enjoys documenting things both fantastical and real, enjoys natural light and open flame. This is her first collaboration with Flock. Learn more about her work: www.alanadasilva.com

BLACK PEARL DE ALMEIDA LIMA - DANCER

Black Pearl de Almeida Lima started her dance training at the Studio Márcia Belarmino dança e culturon in São Paulo, Brazil. By participating in the competition Seminário international de dança de Brasília, she received a scholarship from the Birgit Keil Foundation in 2010, which enabled her to graduate from the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim, Germany. In 2012, she was invited to participate in the Prix de Lausanne. The following year, she started an engagement at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe under the direction of Birgit Keil. There, she had the opportunity to perform in productions by Peter Wright, John Cranko, Terence Köhler, Peter Breuer, Tim Plegge, Thiago Bordin and others. In 2016, she had the chance to work as a soloist at the Staatstheater Augsburg with Mauro de Candia, Mauro Bigonzetti, Krzysztof Pastor, Dominique Dumais and Kevin O’day. In 2018, Black Pearl was given a permanent engagement with the Gauthier Dance Company and has performed in productions of guest choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Hofesh Shechter and Helena Waldman. From 2020, she is a dancer for Richard Siegal / Ballet of Difference at Schauspiel Köln.

MANUEL FERNANDEZ - DANCER

Born in Uruguay in 1997, Manuel Fernandez developed his interest in art at an early age studying acting and circus since he was six years old. Later he began his classical dance training at the National School of Dance in Montevideo at the age of 16 and then graduated from Rudra Bejart in Switzerland in 2017. After being an apprentice dancer at Opera de Lyon in France he has worked for South Bohemian Theater in Czech Republic and Tanzcompany St. Gallen in Switzerland. From 2020 on he continues his career as a freelance dancer based in Berlin working as both actor and dancer

NICOLÁS MARTINEZ -DANCER

Nicolás Martínez is an Uruguayan born dancer who developed his talent for both music and dance from an early age. At the age of 10, he started studying music and also took some dance lessons. Two years later, he began to devote himself entirely to this discipline, trained himself in a wide range of dance styles and participated in competitions. At the age of 18, he began his training as a ballet dancer at the National Ballet School in Uruguay. In 2017, he was engaged to dance at the National Ballet of Uruguay until 2020 when Nicolás was engaged as a dancer with the Richard Siegal Company / Ballet of Difference at Schauspiel Köln, Germany, where he is currently working

GOVOI - CINEMATOGRAPHER

I consider myself a media person mainly into film, directing, and camera. These areas allow me to dance creatively into the fluidity of art across genres.

My passion for media began way before but really developed in 2011 when I was given a broken camera to dispose of. I found myself stuck with it in my room for days before fixing it and starting as a photographer in Nairobi, Kenya. Now I am based in Germany where I am learning more about Film which was among my earliest wishes.

The film has always enabled me to visit and revisit different aspects of life. With my Bachelors at Kunsthochschule Für Medien Köln, I have intensively put my focus on diversity, queer studies, gender topics in conjunction with how the camera can be a better eye in shaping the narratives. I also love to compose music, poetry, writing screenplays, and teaching yoga in my free time.

BEATRIZ GARCÍA DÍAZ - DANCER

Beatriz García Díaz: She was born in Havana, Cuba. She studied at the National Ballet School and at the University of the Arts of Cuba. She began her career as a dancer in the Danza Teatro Retazos Company. She stayed there for three years and worked with choreographers such as Isabel Bustos, Miguel Azcue and Pepe Hevia. In 2014 she began to be part of the Malpaso dance company. She worked with Osnel Delgado, artistic director and choreographer of the company, also with the choreographers Trey McIntyre, Aszure Barton, Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams and Ohad Naharin. As well, she has performed works by Rond K. Brown and Merce Cunningham. She has started to choreograph creating works for Acosta Danza and Malpaso Dance Company. She was invited to the II Meeting of Young Choreographers in Cali, Colombia.

ARMANDO GÓMEZ BRYDSON - DANCER

Armando Gómez Brydson: He was born in Camagüey, Cuba. He studied at the Vicentina de la Torre Academy of Arts. He began his career as a dancer in the Endedans Contemporary Ballet (current Camagüey Contemporary Ballet). He worked with the choreographers Tania Vergara, Maura Morales, Jens Bjerregaard, Pedro Ruiz and Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish. In 2017-2018 he was part of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba. From then until the present day, he has been a member of the Malpaso dance company. He worked with Osnel Delgado, artistic director and choreographer of the company, as well as choreographers such as Beatriz García, Aszure Barton, Robyn Mineko Williams and Ohad Naharin. Also, he has performed works by Rond K. Brown and Merce Cunningham.

TOUSSAINT AVILA - CINEMATOGRAPHER

Toussaint Avila Alvarez is a cinematographer who has been a member of the ICAIC camera department in Cuba for more than 10 years, thus maintaining a broad professional career within the Cuban film industry. He has worked in the making of important films such as "La pared de las palabras” by Fernando Pérez, documentaries such as "Two Beats One Soul" by Sara Nesson and Bille Woodruff and filming live concerts in Cuba such as "Audioslave" and "The Rolling Stone ". In addition to various jobs as a director of audiovisuals for important Cuban musicians. He currently has a freelance career in the audiovisual industry. He graduated in photography direction from the Instituto Superior de Arte de La Habana.

KUMAR RAVI - DANCER/CO-CHOREOGRAPHER

Kumar Ravi is a contemporary performing artist based in India. he has been engaged in artistic work as a performer, teacher and maker. He has his own way to play and expand his understanding of qualities. His dance practices are influenced both by somatic and martial art practices.

ARUSHI GARG - FILMMAKER

Arushi Garg is a cinematographer and a storyteller from Jaipur, Rajasthan. She draws her inspiration from people and spaces. Filmmaking for her is a multi-disciplinary form of art where every medium comes to life. Therefore, she learns a lot from artists such as dancers, singers, painters, writers, photographers, multi media specialists. She believes in self-learning and self discipline. Being in the field for 3 yrs now she feels there is so much to learn, unlearn, feel, explore and having fun with the process is what matters the most!

Created in collaboration with ORMAO DANCE COMPANY

Celebrating their 30th Anniversary Season 2021-2022.

“We are an innovative and inclusive home for dance and the arts in downtown Colorado Springs. Ormao has a history of excellence in their creative, collaborative and community engagement work. Our award winning modern dance company regularly creates performances that are wildly original from construction zones, art museums, and abandoned warehouses to theaters. www.ormaodance.org”

TIFFANY OGBURN - DANCER

Tiffany Ogburn grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington and received her BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts ‘17. She has danced for Andrea Miller’s Gallim Dance, Susan Marshall & Co., Stephen Petronio Company, and was a performer in Punchdrunk NYC’s immersive show Sleep No More. She loves freelancing and creating work alongside as many interesting humans as she encounters.

BECCA LOEVY - DANCER

Loevy is a dancer and choreographer with a B.F.A. in Dance from NYU. She has worked in New York, Berlin, Italy, Japan, India, and Norway as a choreographer and teacher, and has extensive training in contemporary, modern, floorwork, Indian classical dance, Butoh, improvisation, Japanese and Brazilian martial art, and more. She’s inspired to help people find their dancing bodies, especially those who are underprivileged, incarcerated, and discriminated against. She believes dance can be an amazing tool for healing and hopes to explore dance and it’s historic roots in spirituality more.

JORDAN MCHENRY - DANCER

Jordan is an MFA graduate in Choreography from Laban Conservatoire of Dance in London, England with a BFA in Dance Performance from The Ailey School/Fordham University in New York City. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO under the direction of Zetta Alderman, his professional stage credits include Montreal-based companies EZDanza, Jose Navas/Company Flak and Cas Public. Jordan’s career spans film, fashion, and dance including Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan starring Natalie Portman, New York Fashion Week, as well as three international Vogue publications. Jordan danced for Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity from 2010-2015 & danced with the Martha Graham Company for their historic 90th season international tour. Before joining DAPPR, McHenry was involved in numerous international engagements including teaching at the 5th NO Borders Project in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as choreographic residences at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center and Tanztendenz in Munich, Germany. Jordan is proud to be a dancer with the local Ormao Dance Company and a visiting professor at Colorado College.

DAVID FOSTER - CINEMATOGRAPHER

ALAJA BADALICH - DANCER

Native to Eugene, Oregon, A(laj) Badalich is freelance professional dancer, choreographer, dance educator, model and the youngest co-founder of seven to form Fermata ballet collective. The Collective is a place for dance artists in the Pacific Northwest who have found their careers and projects on hold due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Fermata offers opportunities for dance artists in a respectful and safe manner during the largest Civil Rights movement in history with a focus on inclusion for all.

Laj first studied at Oregon Ballet Academy, where she trained in classical ballet for many years. At 16, she moved across the country to study at University of North Carolina School of the Art’s modern high school program, where she studied Graham, Limón, Cunningham, and Countertechnique. In 2018, she began her dance studies in San Francisco at the Alonzo King Lines Ballet training program. In her two years at the program, the youngest in their class, they worked in intimate choreographic processes with Carmen Rozesstraten, Kara Davis, Christian Burns, Alex Ketley, Eric Wagner, Roderick George, Robert Moses Kin, and FlOCK ( Alice Klock and Florian Lochner). She is a two time national medalist for the NAACP ‘s ACT-SO, and has attended summer programs, such as: Texas Ballet Theater, Ballet West, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, De Dutch Don’t Dance, and AXIS dance on full scholarship.

They currently reside in their hometown as a faculty artist with flex Studios, XCAPE dance academy, Eugene Ballet Academy, and Fermata Ballet Collective. Laj has choreographed for competitive soloists, training program works, public school programs, Flex studios, XCAPE dance academy, Eugene Ballet Academy, Fermata Ballet Collective, and Coalesce virtual dance collective in Chicago. In the past year, She placed in the top three with two of her works in SALT”s Choreography Festival “SHAPE'',  attended the HAVEN choreographic mentorship under the direction of Alex Ketley and David Maurice, and was a selected choreographer for Alluvion's Dance Chicago Virtual Choreographic Festival "emergence". 

ERIK OSTERKIL - DANCER

Erik Osterkil is a 22 year old dancer from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He began his dance education at the Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and continued training at the Academy of Movement and Music, the Hubbard Street Youth Dance Program, and in the Lou Conte Dance Studio Scholarship Program. He now attends the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase College, and will graduate in December with a concentration in Dance Composition. During his Junior year, Erik studied abroad at the Taipei National University of the Arts, in Taiwan, for an extended semester. He has also trained and performed at summer intensives such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet School, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and b12 Berlin Dance Festival. As a guest artist and a student, Erik has performed in works by José Limón, Jerome Robbins, and Doug Varone, as well as in classical ballets and other contemporary dance works.

DAVE X - DANCER

Dave X was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. Dave began their dance training at age 14 with Best Dance and Talent Center under the direction of Ms Judy Best Person. In 2017, Dave graduated from Saint Louis Central Visual Performing Arts Highschool. In Fall of 2017, Dave began their studies and training under the dance program of California Institute of the Arts and received their BFA in dance in 2021. Dave began working professionally by doing commercial work in the Los Angeles area with artists like Solange Knowles and platinum recording artist, Ingrid Andress. In 2018, Dave performed with members of the Paris Opera Ballet at the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, France. In Dave’s professional career ,they have performed repertoire from iconic choreographers such as: Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, Jiří Kylián,Wayne McGregor, and Paul Taylor. Dave has also personally worked with profound artists in the concert dance world like: Peter Chu, Brigette Dunn-Korpela, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Samuel Wentz, and Johannes Wieland. Since graduation, Dave has participated in summer programs in which they Berlin, Germany. Dave strives to continue working and build connections in both Europe and the United States .

CARDIN CHUNG - DANCER

Cardin Chung is a high school senior born and raised in Longview, Washington. He began dance at a local dance studio after being inspired watching his cousins break. Thanks to Corina Kinnear, Cardin has trained under Northwest Dance Project's youth program, learned tap dance from Kim Miller, and is currently training at Open Space as a Young Artist under Franco Nieto. In the summers, Cardin has been able to perform works by Ihsan Rustem, Robert Moses, Elijah Labay, Dianne Walker, One Republic's "Rescue Me", Layla Amis, Elana Anderson, Gary Abbott, Joshua Manculich, and Flock. Besides dance, Cardin has been playing classical piano his whole life and is currently studying jazz piano/composition. Cardin hopes to become an international choreographer and learn how to incorporate film, lighting, music, and set design into all his creations!