So, it’s been a minute since we’ve been ready to inject the electric joy of new teachers in our LA community (of course we all cherish and have become obsessed with the incomparable Cody Brunelle-Potter, who was our most-recent LA hire, over three years ago). And while we will forever be dancing with the long-invested and truly spectacular LA team, we cannot WAIT to introduce you to new teachers Vickie Roan (she/her) and Santiago Villarreal (he/him). Dancing and chatting with Vickie and Santiago is like having drinks with your longest friends: immediately playful, deeply loving, and with an unmistakable sensation of being seen and held by two beauties who will also bring the fire that makes you want to do more, be bigger, sweat and dream with tenacity. LA, meet our newest teachers, Vickie and Santi 💞

👽 Let’s start with the basics — what do we need to know about you as people?

Vickie: I’m a Pisces sun, Leo moon - bigggggg emotions and addicted to the feeling of performing live. In my free time, I am hunting for new Squishmallows to add to my collection and recharging my battery via snuggle with my two calico kitties, Bandit and Strawberry. Shout out to The Happy Kitty Rescue 🐈

Santiago: I’m a queer artist, born in Monterrey, Mexico. I’m always up for a good time, whether at a wine bar, brewery, or in the middle of the dance floor, shaking, moving, and twirling. Meaningful quality time with my loved ones keeps me sane and grounded. I also love traveling, connecting with new people, and contributing to something larger than myself through a positive, vibrant community.

👽 We hear that you already know each other pretty intimately? Like, we know the dance world is small, but you two are close enough that we’ve heard whispers of playful competition even in your beginnings as new Dance Church teachers! Tell us more…

Vickie: I am originally from Orange County, CA and attended Orange County School of the Arts for high school (think Disney's Victorious) in the Commercial Dance conservatory. From there, I attended Chapman University and got my BFA in Dance Performance where, YES, I met and became instant friends with fellow Dance Church LA new hire, Santiago Villarreal. I think we spent nearly every day of undergrad together??? - dancing, eating, living, playing alongside each other since the first day of school. I have always been inspired by Santi and his contagious, joyful spirit so I am so excited to be going on this new journey alongside him.

Santiago: Okay, so I started my dance journey at 16, when I discovered competition dance. After nearly achieving my tilt, think Tate McRae signature leg move! I moved to California to earn my BFA in Dance from Chapman University, where I found my new best friend, life companion and biggest DC rival, Vickie. ;) Vickie and I have gone through life together and there is no one I’d rather start this journey with. She keeps me grounded and makes me better, her talents exceed every expectation and she always finds a way to surprise you. I can’t wait for you all to witness her beauty and glory! 

👽 You’ve both been movement nerds for a long time then? What have you accumulated in your movement research or dance lives that you’re proud of (and want to tell us about 😉)?

Santiago: Throughout my dance career I have gone through many different places and styles. I have been a part of companies that I admire such as Ate9, NW Dance Project, Jacob Jonas and more. I have also had the pleasure to dance and go on tour with Kali Uchis performing at beautiful venues such as Coachella, Lollapalooza LATAM and more. I am currently a member of BOCA TUYA, a company based in NYC ran by Omar Roman De Jesus and I love it so much, his work is meaningful, athletic and pushes me like no one before. Aside from dance I have found a very intense passion in CrossFit! I know it's scary! But I love it and I’ve been getting stronger doing it almost every day for 3 months now! Haha

Vickie: I am so proud to be a company member and the company manager of Entity Contemporary Dance, a contemporary dance company based in LA co-directed by Will Johnston and Marissa Osato-Moreno. The dancers on Entity are some of my favorite dancers and humans in the entire world. In my own movement practice, I occupy the fusion space of pole, commercial and contemporary dance. While my interests are ever changing and my artistry is forever shifting, my favorite dance move has always been and always will be a feral head bang.

👽 Seems like you’re both embedded in more than one community space. What does community mean to you now, as constantly evolving humans and artists, and how do you invest in it?

Santiago: I build community by actively listening and engaging with everyone I meet. As an open book, I love sharing experiences to connect with others on a deeper level. My goal is to cultivate a positive environment filled with kindness, support, and fun. I thrive on meeting new people and cherishing the time we spend together, and I hope that everyone in my community feels valued and knows they have my unwavering support. Lastly, I build community by trusting others and encouraging them to become the best version of themselves.

Vickie: My community is expanded and strengthened by my curiosity for new movement, new learnings, new people, new perspectives, new sensations. Through these beautiful diversities, my life is elevated and made interesting. 

👽 Vickie, we love that movement is integral to community for you. That’s literally the heart of Dance Church: the music, the movement, the people. We know you’re new to teaching Dance Church, but we also know that you’re both extremely wizened teachers and guides. What do you love about curating movement space?

Vickie: I love watching people experience the catharsis and joy of dance in real time, whether it's a daily practice or happening for the first time ever. These gathering spaces of movement and freedom have so much historic importance and as someone who actively works to find freedom in my daily life, I am so excited to lead classes that prioritize liberation via sweat. We nourish ourselves on the dance floor so we can have the fuel we need to move out in the world.

Santigo: Learning. I love getting to know everyone in the room when I teach—learning about them, understanding their needs, and figuring out how to support them. This process keeps me present and helps me cultivate an environment where everyone feels seen and valued. In my Dance Church classes, this approach will allow me to continuously learn about the people in the room, meet them where they are, and challenge them to push a little harder, dance freely, and fully commit to enjoying our time together. 

👽 Freedom, joy, learning, novelty… we know a bit about these values at Dance Church too ♥️What do you hope to bring to Dance Church spaces you hold with our beloved takers?

Vickie: With my Dance Church offering, I hope to continue nourishing my endless curiosity for life while encouraging like-mind movers to follow their own curiosities in and out of the studio.

Santiago: With my classes, I wish to provide an escape and a journey for everyone that comes. I want them to be able to let go of any thought, problem, concern and just focus on enjoying a beautiful community together just doing something they love. 

👽 Love love love. When can we join you for your first classes?

Vickie: Wednesday, May 7th at Stomping Ground LA! Sign up here. Let’s discover this thing together!!!

Santiago: Wednesday, May 14th at Stomping Ground! Sign up here. Let’s get wild, crazy and have the time of our lives together!

👽 And finally, we know that music drives the energy at Dance Church. Share a preview of what you’re bringing from your recent music obsessions?

Santiago: Can’t get enough of Heridas by RØZ and Real G by Bad Gyal ft. Quevedo

Vickie: 2 recent music obsessions - Cinderella by Remi Wolf brings me into the present and on the other side of the spectrum, No Ordinary Love by Sade when I’m feeling like a soft, sultry, time-traveling Pisces. 

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