Artist Bio: Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark hails from Albuquerque, NM, and is founder and artistic director of Soluq Dance Theater, a NYC based concert dance company. Clark began his dance career in the vernacular jazz partner dance world of Lindy hop, traveling, teaching, performing, and competing. He carries those sensibilities, and the rich culture of New Mexico with him as he creates contemporary dance works in New York.

Clark graduated from the Elizabeth Waters Center for Dance at the University of New Mexico, where his choreographic work grew and took shape. His work ASH, an intimate look at the events and effects of the Holocaust, was selected for and performed at ACDFA his graduating year. Upon moving to New York in 2015, Clark founded Soluq Dance Theater and has performed and presented at Jacob’s Pillow, CitiTheater at Ailey Center, Dixon Place, LaMama, The Tank, CPR, DUMBO Dance Festival, Arts On Site, WestFest, worked as choreographer-in-residence at NYU, and established Circle Return, an annual collaborative weekend with curated emerging guest artists to present any work without restriction. Above all, he values the human within the performance, and the value of meaning created in-between performer and viewer. He currently lives in DC and is beginning his second year as an MFA candidate at UMD.

Artist Bio: Christina Collins

Christina Collins is a native of Chester, Virginia where she started her early training, learning Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Tap. She started taking dance seriously and started to compete, winning Regional and National titles across the east coast and then graduating from Thomas Dale High for the Visual and Performing Art in 2016 majoring in dance under the direction of Ilana Puglia. She continued her passion for dance to study at Virginia Commonwealth University in Dance + Choreography studying Modern, Ballet, & Choreography. At VCUDance she studied under notable artists like Autumn Proctor Waddel, Scott Putman, André Zachery, and Courtney Harris receiving her degree in May of 2020. Christina is currently a M.F.A Dance Candidate attending the University of Maryland, College Park. As an interdisciplinary artist, Christina is exploring Contemporary Floorwork, Sound Design, Lighting Design, and Stage Management and infusing Afrofuturism as a source of her inspiration.

Artist Bio: Charlene Cowan

Charlene Cowan “Char” (Choreographer: Where to Find Me… Now United), (Performer: Breath Before the Scorching Sun) Senior dance major. She will be earning her B.S in Dance at University of Maryland Spring 2024. She will continue to use dance to find ways to spread body positivity, and acceptance of diversity in her work.

UMD Credits: Ordinary Festival, “___ for ya life”(Cyrah Ward), FIXED: A Dance Drama(LiviJanae), Persephone Reconsiders Her Fate (Sara Pearson & Patrik Widrig). Outside Credits: Rebirth (LiviJanae), Persephone Reconsiders Her Fate in Greece (PWDT).

Artist Bio: Mher Kandoyan

Mher Kandoyan is a second-year Graduate Student studying for his MFA in Dance at the University of Maryland. Currently, he is focused on expanding his pedagogical approaches and researching the degendering of social latin dances while actively incorporating it into his classes at the university. Mher explores intergenerational trauma, collective healing and dance as a form of catharsis. His latest project, “Journey” aspires to engage one and a half million participants in embodied performances aiming to address generational trauma.

Mher is driven by the idea of empowering and educating individuals through dance and witnessing the transformative impact it can have on their lives. To further this goal, he founded “The Backstage,” a dance company in Lebanon. The company’s mission is to make dance accessible to everyone, ensuring it stays a medium of expression and freedom in a country marked by chaos and instability.

Mher also holds a BA in economics and a Masters in Management. Before moving to the United States, he served as a professor at Haigazian University and Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon. He has also shared his expertise as a teacher in many dance festivals across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Gulf.

Mher won the best show award in Egypt International Dance Congress, is the seven times champion of Lebanon in Latin Dance, received the IPCCR grant and the 2023 DEL Arnhold Summer Fellowship in NYC.

Artist Bio: Daniel Miramentos

Daniel Miramontes (He/him) is a bright, whimsical force from the Los Angeles dance scene who teaches, performs, and creates dance works. He received his BFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach and was formerly on Faculty at The Wooden Floor and Renaissance High School for the Arts. Daniel is currently pursuing his MFA in Dance at the University of Maryland, College Park. He’s also a Capricorn, a cat dad, and loves the color green.

Artist Bio: Emily Sheridan

Emily Sheridan (When You See Me Leave, Choreographer), was raised just outside of Towson, MD. She grew up dancing at Dance Academy of Baltimore in Pikesville, MD and later joined the dance company at her high school, Notre Dame Preparatory School. She is a fourth-year student pursuing a dual degree in Dance and Computer Science. Emily received her honors citation as part of Design, Cultures, and Creativity after producing her award-winning dance film, “Don’t Rebel”.