Eight recent graduates from Cal State Fullerton’s dance program, each holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance, have achieved a remarkable milestone by being selected to present their choreographic works at prestigious international, national and local dance festivals. This accomplishment highlights the program’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering artistic excellence.
Sophia Bernardo ’24 (B.A. dance and communications-public relations), Leila Massoudi ’23 (B.A. dance), Emilio Castellon and Kevin Olivares were selected through rigorous adjudication to present their work at the renowned DUMBO Dance Festival in New York. This festival is a prestigious platform that features choreographers from up to 40 different countries, making their selection an extraordinary achievement. Their participation not only showcases their individual talent but also places them on a global stage alongside some of the best choreographers in the world.
These selected works cast 25 dancers, all current students and alumni of the dance program, demonstrating a powerful collaboration and a vibrant sense of community. This achievement is a testament to the rigorous training and support provided by the university’s dance program, which continues to nurture creative visionaries and performers.
Bernardo and Massoudi, who co-founded Leiphia Dance Co., and Jolyn Lambey, with her newly formed company New Skins Collective, were also chosen to present their work at the eighth annual Synthesis Festival, hosted by the acclaimed FUSE Dance Co. Over the past eight seasons, 11 additional alumni and six CSUF faculty members have been selected for this showcase. Artistic Director of FUSE Joshua Estrada-Romero ’09 (B.A. dance) is also an alum of the university’s dance program. Estrada-Romero has successfully presented his work at renowned festivals in Utah, Washington and at the DUMBO Dance Festival, further cementing the program’s reputation for producing leading artists in the field. FUSE has also employed over 20 dancers from the university’s program, offering opportunities for alumni to gain professional experience.
Meanwhile, the program continues to foster new talent. Class of 2025 grads Savannah Lang and Makenna Tondro and Aurore Stalder ’24 (B.A. dance) are actively rehearsing their original works, set on current students and alums, for the upcoming MixMatch and Mashup Open Mic festivals, signaling a bright future for the next generation of choreographers. These students are following in the footsteps of their predecessors, showcasing their creativity and artistry on prominent stages.
These eight recent graduates join a distinguished group of alumni who have established themselves as working choreographers in the field, including Mike Esperanza, Estrada-Romero, Courtney Ozovek and Amy Tabback. These artists continually make significant contributions to the dance world. Esperanza, who started dancing and choreographing while earning his bachelor’s degree in graphic design at CSUF, has been produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Royal Conservatory in Cordoba, Spain, and the Australian Circus Festival. Ozovek’s work graced the stages at Gibney Dance Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Samueli Theatre, while Tabback’s work has been produced at Lineage Dance Festival, PGK/ARTwalk dance Festival and RAW Artists. Estrada-Romero, Ozovek and Tabback, are also serving as faculty members at CSUF, where they continue to choreograph, mentor and inspire the next generation of dancers.
As these graduates and current students step into the spotlight on international stages, they carry with them the pride and inspiration of their alma mater and peers. Their success not only celebrates individual talent but also underscores the growing recognition of the university’s dance program as a hub for cultivating world-class artists.