Guillermo Ortega Tanus is the co-director of Da·Da·Dance Project (US-Mexico-Korea), a duet repertory company which has been presented at many International venues and Festivals, performing works by Elise Knudson, Helena Franzén, Luke Gutgsell, Gerald Casel, Eun Jung Choi and himself since 2008. Da·Da·Dance Project was recently selected to be part of Pennsylvania Arts on Tour (PENNPAT).

Mr. Ortega believes that dance is a powerful medium to communicate with other human beings in a deep level.  He considers dance as an art form of constant innovation; for this reason he strives to invent original movement vocabularies for each dance he creates.  He often combines theatricality with visual metaphors in his works.

Apart from Da·Da·Dance Project, he has presented solos at Dixon Place, Newsteps Series, Merce Cunningham Studio, Conwell Dance Theater, Chew the Fat! At Studio 34, New Festival, and Tlacochimaco in New York, and Foro Experimental, Fuego Nuevo, Los Talleres de Coyoacán, La Casa de Las Bombas in Mexico. He also has set work in Tatiana Zugazagoitia Danza (Merida, Mexico), and in the students of the Diploma in Dance of the Cultural Center “Los talleres A. C.” (Mexico city).

He has danced for numerous companies and artists in both Mexico and the US including UX Onodanza (Mexico), A Poc A Poc (Mexico), Eterno Caracol (Mexico), Kelly Nipper (LA), Miro Dance Theatre (Philly), David Gordon’s Pick Up Performance Co. (NY), Risa Jaroslow and Dancers (NY), Anonymous Bodies (Philly) and many others.

Currently he is a recipient of the “National Fund for the Culture and the Arts (FONCA), and the  National Concil for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Student Scholarship”. Both as performer and creator, Guillermo has received grants from: National Fund for the Culture and the Arts (2007-08), (2009-10); Mexico en Escena (2005-06); the State Foundation of Culture and Arts (FOESCA 09-10); Mexican Institute of the Youth (2003-04); and the Secretary of Social Development (1997-98). He has been a resident artist at nEW festival (2009-10). The National Council of the Culture and Arts, and the Mexican Cultural Institute of New York has supported him.

Mr. Ortega is also pursuing an MFA in Dance at Temple University.  He works at the Conwell Dance Theater as a Graduate Assistant under the supervision of Nanette Joyce.  At the theater, he has the opportunity of experimenting with different production aspects such as Lighting Design for dance.  He was recently invited to join Golden Key International Honour Society Member as recognition of his academic achievement.

Visit Da·Da·Dance Project website to learn more.

Photo Credit: Steven Schreiber