Photo by Juliana Gorena
If you’ve ever been to a class, performance, or event at Keshet, you know: Community is the name of the game for us! We work to create a space of belonging for all, and to use dance as a form of connection to each other. This means we have a lot of people who started as a community dancer, or a volunteer, or a parent, who now work at Keshet, or are a member of the Dance Company, or whose own children now dance at Keshet!
Company Dancer (and Director of Arts and Justice Initiatives!) Elysia Pope has been dancing at Keshet since she was little, graduating from the pre-professional program at Keshet before becoming a Company Dancer! And she isn’t the only one still involved at Keshet; Elysia’s niece is now part of the same pre-professional program, and her mother Selina works as concierge with us!
Company Dancer Juliana Gorena followed a similar path, graduating from the pre-professional program, becoming a Company Apprentice, and then becoming a fully fledged member of Keshet Dance Company and teaching faculty!
Most recently, Kamila Rojas finished her training with Keshet’s KP3 program and also accepted a Company Apprentice position with Keshet!
Before joining Keshet’s staff, Community Education & Engagement Coordinator, Alissa Trujillo, danced with Keshet as an adult Community student, performing in Nutcracker on the Rocks and Alice. Alissa’s daughter Jordyn began dancing with Keshet at the age of 2, is currently in the KP3 program, and just performed with New Mexico Ballet in their 2025 Nutcracker performances! Jordyn’s younger sister Devyn had her first dance class in 2023; the tradition continues strong!
Even Keshet’s Board includes members who have been part of Keshet’s community in many different ways over the years. Board Treasurer Janet McHard performed in Nutcracker on the Rocks, and Board Members Samantha Adams and Dovya Friedman are both parents of former KP3 students who continue to volunteer for Keshet. Keshet Board President Marla Wood started as Keshet’s Stage Manager in 1999, playing several staff roles over the early years, and now returning to support Keshet as a community member and Board President!
Every dancer, every performance, every class over the past 30 years has been shaped by the Keshet community: people who believe in the power of dance to connect, impact, and transform. In other words, people like you! Thank you for being a part of Keshet’s history, longevity, and community. As we come to the end of 2025, consider a year-end gift to help ensure Keshet continues to provide a welcoming space for the arts and artists for another 30 years!