Exploring the Bay Area Arts Scene: A Focus on Dance and Key Figures
The Bay Area is a vibrant hub for the arts, particularly known for its innovative and diverse dance community. This article delves into the world of dance in the Bay Area, highlighting key figures, organizations, and the ecosystem that supports them. While specific salary information for individuals like Scott Fisher at Ohlone College is not available in the provided data, we can explore the broader context of the dance community and the institutions that foster it.
The Rich Tapestry of Bay Area Dance
The Bay Area dance scene is characterized by its experimental nature, inclusivity, and commitment to social issues. Companies like RAWdance, co-founded by Wendy Rein and Ryan Smith, exemplify this spirit. RAWdance creates adventurous, thoughtful, and welcoming programming that challenges what contemporary dance is, where it happens, who it includes, and the role it plays in our lives. Now in its 20th year, the award-winning contemporary dance company is known for transforming theaters and public spaces through a mix of performance, curation, collaboration, and film. The company’s charged and nuanced works have been presented by the Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Dance St. and in Asia. RAWdance has presented works by more than 150 Bay Area artists through its CONCEPT series salon since 2007. The company served as the curator for YBG ChoreoFest from 2017 to 2022. In 2021, the company launched Radiate, a fellowship program for emerging Bay Area BIPOC dance artists. A Home Company of ODC Theater, RAWdance has held the title of Best Dance Company in the 48 Hills “Best of the Bay” for the past six years.
Key Choreographers and Dancers
Numerous talented individuals contribute to the Bay Area's dynamic dance landscape.
Wendy Rein: A native New Yorker with over 20 years of professional experience, Wendy Rein (she/her) is a choreographer, dancer, producer, curator, and teacher. With a BA from Brown University, she brings over 20 years of professional experience in the field to her work as a performer, choreographer, producer, curator, and teacher. She worked with Misnomer Dance Theater before moving to San Francisco, where Wendy co-founded RAWdance with Ryan Smith and had the privilege of performing with Amy Seiwert, Deborah Slater, Alma Esperanza Cunningham, Nancy Karp, Mary Carbonara, and Todd Eckert, among many others. She also worked for seven years both in front of the camera and behind the scenes on a series of dance film projects with RJ Muna.
Ryan T. Smith: As a co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of RAWdance since 2004, Ryan T. Smith (he/him) is a queer dance-maker, performer, curator, and connector. He has created works for stage, alternative locations, and film with creative partner Wendy Rein. He was a member of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company from 2005-2016, touring nationally and internationally, and participating in collaborations with artists and organizations in Kochin, Kolkata, Guangzhou, and Jerusalem. Originally from outside of Boston, MA, Ryan received his BA in Theatre Arts and French Literature from Brown University before moving to San Francisco.
Read also: Understanding the Ohlone College Schedule
Kelly Del Rosario: Kelly Del Rosario (he/him) is a choreographer and dancer, born and raised in Mililani, HI. He began his studies in Dance in 2001 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and received his BFA in Dance in 2005.
Claire Fisher-Mendez: Claire Fisher-Mendez (she/her) is a dancer who was born and raised in Tracy, California. She received a majority of her training from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Northwest Dance Project.
Tajh Malik Stallworth: Tajh Malik Stallworth (they/them) is a Michigan native who moved to the Bay Area in 2020. They studied dance at Western Michigan University where they performed works by Gerald Arpino, Alonzo King, David Parsons, Nelly Von Bommel, and Lauren Edson, and performed as a guest with Danceworks Chicago. They have worked on projects with World Wild Life Fund, HBO, The Seldoms, Mordine & Co, Miss Gay America, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Since moving to the Bay, they have been able to work with Sean Dorsey Dance, Detour Dance, Axis Dance Company, McDonald’s, Tracey Lindsay Chan, CBS network, and San Francisco Pride.
Nick Wagner: Hailing from the Seattle area, Nick Wagner (he/him) is a choreographer and dancer. He earned a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Kinesiology from Chapman University. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2017, he has had the opportunity to perform with several dance companies, most notably RAWdance since 2017. He is also a certified massage therapist (CMT), Responsive Body practitioner, Barnes-style myofascial release therapist, and is training to become a biodynamic craniosacral therapist (RCST). When not in the studio, Nick manages his bodywork practice based in the Castro specializing in compounding conditions, musculoskeletal and postural issues, and trauma-informed autonomic nervous system regulation.
Juliann Witt: Juliann Witt (she/her) is a dancer who was born in Marin and began dancing at the age of three. As a young dancer she trained at the California Academy of Performing Arts and attended summer programs with American Ballet Theatre and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Juliann received her BFA in Dance Performance from SUNY Purchase and performed briefly in NYC post graduation. Since returning to the Bay Area she has had the pleasure of dancing with many great artists and companies including DTSF, Nol Simonse, Bellwether Dance Project, Dexandro “D” Montalvo, Fullstop Dance, Robert Moses’ Kin, Liv Schaffer, Concept o4, and the San Francisco Symphony.
Read also: Navigating Ohlone College Parking
Erin Yen: Erin Yen (she/they) is a mixed-race professional dancer and choreographer currently residing in San Mateo, CA. Since moving to the Bay Area to be closer to extended family, Erin has had the privilege of performing at events such as Margaret Jenkin’s 50th Anniversary Show and Trolley Dances SF, and at venues including Dance Mission Theater, Oakland Theater Project, CounterPulse, and the Green Room. Erin’s choreography has been featured at the FACT/SF Summer Dance Festival, ODC’s State of Play, ODC Pilot Program 73, RAWdance’s CONCEPT series, SAFEhouse, and Levy Salon.
Stacey Yuen: Stacey Yuen (she/her) is a Bay Area native and received her BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She went on to work with Seán Curran and the Santa Fe Opera, and to travel to Greece to perform in works by Johannes Wieland and Stella Zannou at the one small step dance festival. She spent three seasons as a dancer and rehearsal director with the Sticky Trace Company in Germany.
Leesha Zieber: Leesha Zieber (they/them) is a white-passing QTPOC dance artist based in San Francisco. They grew up moving and grooving in Santa Cruz before graduating summa cum laude from San Francisco State University with a BA in dance and mathematics. Leesha has collaborated with KAMBARA+, ayanadancearts, and Dance Brigade among others.
Supporting Roles: Production and Design
The success of dance performances relies not only on the talent of choreographers and dancers but also on the expertise of production managers, lighting designers, and composers.
Jessi Barber: Jessi Barber (she/her) is a queer production manager, technical director, lighting designer and stage manager with over a decade of professional arts experience in the Bay Area/Ohlone Land. She is the co-founder and current co-producer of Shawl-Anderson Dance Center’s Queering Dance Festival (QDF), and was formerly Producing Lead/Interim Venue Manager at the Joe Goode Annex and Shawl-Anderson’s Production Manager.
Read also: Explore Ohlone College
Aaron M Gold: Aaron M Gold (he/him) is a composer who makes visceral music that moves. Resident composer for Kristin Damrow & Company since 2014, he’s also been commissioned by punkkiCo, Dance Brigade with Sara Shelton Mann, Sonoma State University with Jennifer Meek, Deborah Slater Dance Theater, Nol SImonse and Christy Funsch, Human Creature Dance Theater, Fall Fast Dance, Twisted Oak Dance Theater, and Coventry and Kaluza. Aaron lives in Oakland with his wife and two cats, casting sonic spells for a happy, healthy, safe and strong world.
Del Medoff: Del Medoff (he/him) is a lighting artist in the Bay Area. He found a passion for lighting dance work in college at Cal Poly Humboldt. In his nearly 2 decade long career in the Bay Area, he has worked with too many companies and people to list here. But some that he has recently worked with are: FACT/SF, Detour Productions, Ars Minerva, Oceanica Ballet, and Bellwether Dance Project.
ODC: A Hub for Dance and Artistic Development
ODC (Oberlin Dance Collective) is a cornerstone of the Bay Area dance community. ODC is dedicated to the lifecycle of the artistic process. ODC Theater exists to empower and develop innovative artists. It participates in the creation of new works through commissioning, presenting, mentorship and space access; it develops informed, engaged and committed audiences; and advocates for the performing arts as an essential component to the economic and cultural development of our community. Since 1976, ODC Theater has been the mobilizing force behind countless San Francisco artists and the foothold for national and international touring artists seeking debut in the Bay Area. The Theater, founded by Brenda Way has earned its place as a cultural incubator by dedicating itself to creative change-makers, those leaders who give the Bay Area its unmistakable definition and flair. Nationally known artists Spaulding Gray, Diamanda Galas, Bill T. Jones, Eiko & Koma, Ronald K.
ODC's Key Personnel
- Brenda Way: ODC Founder and Artistic Director.
- Carma Zisman: Executive Director.
- Chloë L. Zimberg: ODC Theater Creative Director.
- Kimi Okada: ODC School Director & Associate Choreographer.
- Maurya Kerr: ODC Theater Resident Curator.
- Zaquia Mahler Salinas: ODC Theater Resident Curator.
- KT Nelson: ODC Fellow.
- Garth Grimball: ODC Chief of Staff.
- Thomas Bowersox: Director of Production.
- Chris Chamberlin-Miner: Production Coordinator.
- Katya Ponomarenko: Audience Services Manager.
- Shayna Ann Hewlett: Theater Associate, Outreach Coordinator.
- Sophie Leininger: Director of Marketing & Communications.
- John B.: Publicist.
ODC's Commitment to Community and Inclusivity
ODC's dedication extends beyond artistic creation to encompass community engagement and inclusivity. ODC is on the ancestral lands of the Ramaytush People in Yelamu. We pay respects to elders past and present, who are still here and part of our community. We recognize that regenerative land management is not new, but is a continuation of practices from Native cultures and from our own ancestors. ODC is donating $.50 for each in-person ticket (seat) sold to all performances in the Theater.
Educational Institutions and the Arts
While the provided information does not directly address Scott Fisher's salary at Ohlone College, it's important to acknowledge the role of educational institutions in supporting the arts. Colleges and universities often provide crucial training, performance opportunities, and employment for artists. These institutions contribute to the overall health and vibrancy of the arts community.
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