UNM Friends of Dance

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Albuquerque, NM
UNM Friends of Dance

Supporting the University of New Mexico Dance Program and surrounding dance community.

UNM Dance Alums: Tell us what your are up to by writing to [email protected] and visit our website unmfriendsofdance.weebly.com Friends of Dance was established in 1988 as an enterprise in community support to raise money for UNM dance scholarships. Friends of Dance has become a major force in demonstrating to students, faculty, and administration how a small community organization can reinforce the artistic and academic goals of the youth involved at UNM.

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Dominique Adessa and Carlos Menchaca, two alumni from the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance who have been selected as finalists for the 2026 Certamen Coreográfico at Festival Flamenco Alburquerque.

Dominique was selected for her choreography Una Discusión Civil and will continue her flamenco studies this fall in Madrid at Conservatorio Superior de Danza María de Ávila. Carlos was selected for his work Fandangos and continues to create and perform internationally while mentoring the next generation of flamenco artists at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts.

Catch both artists at Festival Flamenco Alburquerque:
Puentes Flamencos & Certamen Coreográfico

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 5 PM
National Hispanic Cultural Center
Tickets: https://my.nmculture.org/43419/54655

05/23/2026

✨ 2025 SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Venice Marquez ✨
Dance Major with Flamenco Concentration

From performing with Keshet, Tierra Adentro, and the National Institute of Flamenco to thriving in the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance, Venice is pursuing her passion with strength, artistry, and purpose. As a first-generation transgender woman of Latin descent, she uses dance to uplift unheard voices and express identity, resilience, and creativity.

“I’ve always felt like what I wanted to do was not possible for someone like me. But now I’m pursuing my dreams and doing what I was meant to do.”

Through discipline, collaboration, and artistic growth, Venice continues to find her voice and inspire others through flamenco.

05/05/2026

"PERFORMANCE CLIP:
“Tenant of the Street” choreographed by Eve Gentry and performed by Peter Bennett from our 2025 Dance Concert ""Legacy in Motion""
"

05/03/2026

UNM Flamenco Class Showing 💃🏽

Join UNM Department of Theatre and Dance for an informal showing by the UNM Flamenco classes. Students will share material they have worked on throughout the semester, offering a glimpse into their study of flamenco technique, repertory, rhythm, and performance practice.

Students, faculty, staff, friends, family, and community members are invited to attend and support the dancers.

Friday, May 8, 2026 | 4:30 p.m.
Carlisle Gym, South Arena
Free and open to the public

04/28/2026

✨ 2025 SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Gianna Silva ✨
Dance Major with concentration in Contemporary

From growing up in Albuquerque to thriving in the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance Program, Gianna is chasing her dream with heart, purpose, and a deep love for her community.

“My time at the University of New Mexico has been truly life-changing, not just as a dancer, but as a person… I’ve learned to see dance as more than performance—it’s a way to tell stories, express culture, and connect with community.” 💃

Through collaboration, creativity, and growth, Gianna is finding her voice and using dance to inspire and uplift others.

04/21/2026

Congratulations to our 2025 UNM Friends of Dance Scholarship Recipients Contemporary Dance Majors Gianna Silva and Venice Marquez. We are excited to see what is created by this opportunity. Congratulations again to our winners! 🎉

04/13/2026

✨ UNM DanceAlumna Spotlight: Sara La Luz ✨

UNM Dance alumna Sara La Luz takes the stage with a newly choreographed flamenco work for the adult flamenco class—set to original music by local guitarists Luis Campos and Michael Anthony, performed live. 💃🎶

Catch this special performance at the Fishback Studio's "Dancing Through Life," at Popejoy Hall!

📅 Saturday, May 23
🕒 Afternoon & Evening Shows
🎟 More info & tickets: https://www.unmtickets.com/events/detail/fishback-studio-presents-dancing-through-life-fsh1

04/08/2026

Happy Birthday to the wonderful Judith Bennahum, our beloved Co-Founder and Board Member. ♥️

04/07/2026

🎓✨ UNM Dance Alumna Spotlight:
Jeanne d’Arc Casas, PhD ✨🎓

UNM Department of Theatre and Dance and UNM Friends of Dance proudly recognize Jeanne d’Arc Simone Casas Panouze on earning her PhD in History from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (2025), awarded sobresaliente cm laude.

Her groundbreaking dissertation, Entre dos aguas: Historia de la danza española en Puerto Rico (1900–1960), explores the legacy of Puerto Rican women who shaped Spanish dance—bridging history, culture, and identity through movement and embodied memory.

💃 A graduate of UNM (MFA, 2011) and the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Casas has also built an international performance career, including touring with Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca and performing across the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Spain, and beyond.

Her work beautifully connects performance and scholarship—honoring the past while shaping the future of dance.

📸 Ricardo Alcaraz

04/06/2026

💃✨ UNM Alumna Spotlight: Ana Lopes Aréchiga ✨💃
UNM Department of Theatre and Dance alumna Ana Lopes Aréchiga, now Company Dancer and Director of Arts and Engagement at Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts, returns to the stage as choreographer for “Tarrion,” a powerful new production.

📅 April 10–11, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Keshet Center for the Arts

“Tarrion” is a visceral, full-length contemporary dance work exploring humanity, energy, and our connection to each other and the world around us—developed through a dynamic collaboration with composer Zachariah Julian.

🌟 Don’t miss this exciting new work from one of UNM’s own!
🎟 https://keshetarts.org/event/keshet-dance-company-new-works-tarrion/

Address

Albuquerque, NM

Telephone

+15052773660

Website

http://unmfriendsofdance.weebly.com/

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