Dance Projects by ME

Home
United States
South Saint Paul, MN
Dance Projects by ME

DME strives to create dance accessibility through choreography, education, and performance. linktr.ee/mnidf

06/06/2026

🌟MEET THE COLLABORATORS🌟

There are a few more talented artists bringing MOVING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS to life this June! We are excited to introduce composer Jorge Mendoza creating an original score for this work.

Jorge Mendoza is a unique composer and one of the leading jazz cellists of our time. He has performed in jazz festivals, open air concerts and principle concert halls all around Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and the US. He was selected to close the “Xth. Jazzeando Festival” in Mexico City.

Winner of the American String Teachers Association 1997 Composition Contest with his work “Torero” for String Bass and Piano. His suite for String Orchestra was premiered in 1997 in Austin, TX. He is a recipient of the Jalisco State Grant for the Arts. He has recorded two records under the label “Jazz Urtex”, a record company with international acclaim.

Jorge Mendoza holds a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin, was Principal Cellist with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, and a full time Professor at the University of Guadalajara.

06/05/2026

🌟MEET THE DIRECTORS🌟

As we countdown toward opening night of MOVING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS at the on June 26th, we are happy to introduce next mover and Co-Director Erika Martin.

Erika Martin is a Minneapolis based dancer, choreographer, teacher and engaged citizen. Originally from NC, Erika received a BA in Dance and American Studies at Connecticut College. Their research investigates identity performance and how experience is manifested in movement.

Erika has had the privilege to study abroad at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance in London and perform works by Kyle Abraham, Ronald K. Brown, David Dorfman, Elm City Dance Collective, Ori Floman, Ohad Naharin, Paula Mann, Doug Varone and Shen Wei. They are the 2015 recipient of the Martha Myers Prize and the 2017 recipient of the Joan Connell Memorial Award.

To date, Erika’s professional works have been shown in museums, theaters, and public spaces across the country: notably at the Lyman Art Museum (CT), Schaefer Theatre Box, Bates Dance Festival (ME), Melrose Ballroom (NY), Praxis Gallery, the Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts, Barbara Barker Center for Dance, DanceBARN, Dances by the Lake Festival, The Southern Theater, and Soiled Dance Series (MN). Erika is the Artistic Director of eMartin Dance, co-founder of Dance Projects by ME, and serves as School Coordinator for the Zenon Dance School.

🎟️: www.southerntheater.org

06/03/2026

🌟MEET THE DIRECTORS🌟

We are one month away from kicking off rehearsals in the theater and want to introduce you next to DME Co-Director Carmen Lucia Lincoln!

Carmen Lucia ‘Meli’ Lincoln is a Mexican and recently naturalized US citizen, dancer, and multidisciplinary artist based in Miní Sóta Makhóčhe since 2019, where she has collaborated with the local dance community. She migrated to the US in 2018 for graduate school, receiving her Masters from Colorado State University. Her research is based on modern, afro-modern, jazz, contemporary, and Mayan Mesoamerican dance techniques. She has combined her work with an extensive professional dance career in Mexico promoting cultural activities and cultural heritage preservation for over twenty years. Meli has worked as Director, Choreographer, and Producer on dance theater productions since 2007. Meli’s artistic career started in 2001 touring in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the US. Meli explores movement as a means of connection and empowerment to develop a sense of belonging within the community and the world.

06/02/2026

🌟MEET THE MOVERS🌟

We are excited to continue introducing the talented artists of MOVING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS this week. Next up is Alessandra Silva!

Alessandra Silva, is a Brazilian artist and dancer based in Minneapolis. Through Aquarelle of Samba and Aquarelle Movement, she create spaces where the body becomes a language, where movement carries memory, ancestry, and emotion.

Her work lives between the vibrancy of carnaval and the grounding force of the terreiro. Between the street and the sacred. She invites people to experience samba not only as a dance, but as something alive, embodied, and carried forward through generations.

Alessandra regulary performs and and teaches community events, sharing this work on stage and in classes, continuing to build connection through samba.

06/01/2026

🌟MEET THE MOVERS🌟

Next up in the incredible cast of MOVING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS is Jennifer Mack who will be taking the stage with hs at the next month!

Jennifer Mack is a Minneapolis based freelance movement artist that trained at Rochester Ballet School, Milwaukee Ballet, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, ODC, and on a Bukolt Scholarship at UW- Steven’s Point graduating Summa Cum Laude with degrees in Dance Performance & Arts Management and minors in Art, Music & International Studies. She went on to dance & choreograph in Europe & the U.S. for 25+ years with numerous performing arts organizations & artists in various genres including: Abby Wolf, Alternative Motion Project, AOT, Collide, Dance Co., Deborah Thayer, Ecclectic Edge, Hatch/Honeyworks Dance, Jagged Moves, James Sewell Ballet, Jess Forest, Jodi Melnick, Kinetic Evolutions, Live Action Set, Matt Marka, MN Opera, Rosy Simas, St. Paul Ballet, Strange Loop, Offleash Area & YEV. She was awarded a Cowles Center Generating Room Residency (2020). She currently dances with Christopher Watson Dance Company while teaching for Prima Classical Coaching, St. Paul Ballet, & Zenon Dance Schools.

📷: .cameron

05/26/2026

🌟MEET THE MOVERS🌟

We are happy to introduce you to another talented lover in the MOVING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS cast that will be taking the stage at the this June 26th & 27th. Next up is Sophia Islam!

Sophia Islam was born and raised in the Twin Cities. She is a current dance major at the University of Minnesota. She graduated in 2024 from Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, where she was a part of the dance track. In the 25-26 school year she collaborated in work directed by Emily Johnson, Penelope Freeh, and Laura Selle Virtucio, as well as in her and her classmates’ dance composition pieces. She choreographed and performed a duet for her and her partner titled Don’t Get Clocked O’Clock in May. Last summer she was a part of a group of movers that activated Eduardo Navarro’s Cloud Museum at the Walker Art Center.

📷: Slow Road Photography

05/12/2026

🌟MEET THE MOVERS🌟

We are excited to introduce you to the cast of MOBING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS over the next week. Up next is Mayhugh Fox!

Mayhugh Fox is a movement artist, choreographer, and teacher committed to fostering connection, community, and creative expression through dance. An Ohio native now based in Minneapolis, her work challenges the status quo while cultivating spaces where individuals feel supported, empowered, and seen. Since relocating, she has built a dynamic freelance career, performing with Dance Projects by ME and Ray Terrill Dance Group, as well as in festivals, music videos, award shows, and as a backup dancer for local musicians.

A former company member of Dancing Wheels, Mayhugh toured nationally and internationally
and performed works by Heinz Poll, Paul Taylor, and May O’Donnell. Her choreography, recognized with honors such as Best in Show, explores contemporary themes and sparks meaningful dialogue.

As a Teaching Artist with Young Dance and Director at Northern Lights Studio, she leads inclusive, option-based classes for all levels, centering accessibility, authenticity, and community.

05/11/2026

🌟MEET THE MOVERS🌟

We are excited to introduce you to the cast of MOBING ROOTS/ANCESTRY WINGS over the next week. Up first Lu Chen!

陳璐 / Lu is an artist with a focus in movement residing in Mini Sota Makoce. Lu holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macalester College, where they majored in Psychology and Theater and Dance. Lu has performed at Macalester Mainstage Theater, Lightning Rod, 20% Theatre Company, Red Eye Theater, Southern Theatre, Twin Cities public parks, Tek Box, and the MODArts’ Move To Change Festival. Lu has danced in works by Wynn Fricke, Ashwini Ramaswany, Marciano Silva Dos Santos, Erika Martin, Kat Purcell, Taja Will, and Vanessa Cruz.

📷: .cameron courtesy of

05/04/2026

🌟SAVE THE DATE 🌟
Dance Projects by ME is happy to invite you to our newest premiere “Moving Roots/Ancestry Wings” at The Southern Theater this June 26th and 27th!

Co-Directors: Carmen Lucia Lincoln & Erika Martin
Performers: Lu Chen, Mayhugh Fox, Sophia Islam, Jennifer Mack & Alessandra Silva
Original Music: Jorge Mendoza
Lighting & Visual Design: KD Deutsch Frost

11/21/2025

THANK YOU for your support during Give to the Max day! With your donations, we have kicked off the giving session with 11% of our year end goal! Thank you for your generosity. We still welcome donations through GiveMN.org year round and appreciate your support in reaching our $2000 goal through December 31st.

📸:

Address

South Saint Paul, MN
55104

Telephone

+16519984024

Website

https://www.danceprojectsbyme.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dance Projects by ME posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Dance Projects by ME:

Shortcuts

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in South Saint Paul?