Introducing KAIR: Kaeja Artists in Residence 2022

We are thrilled to announce that Kaeja d’Dance is continuing KAIR – the Kaeja Artist in Residence program! Last year Mio Sakamoto was the first Resident Artist in Kaeja’s 30-year history.

KAIR is part of Kaeja’s commitment to sustainability for our artists. This year we are very excited to share that long-time collaborators Nickeshia Garrick and Irma Villafuerte are Kaeja’s 2022 Resident Artists. Irma and Nickeshia are exploring their creative curiosities and continuing to develop their artistic practices and choreography with financial, artistic and nurturing support from Kaeja. This program prioritizes sustainability for our artists. We are grateful to be a part of these two incredible dancers’ journeys as they continue to explore their passions and reveal exquisite meaningful stories through movement.

We asked Nickeshia and Irma what they're excited about within the residency; here's what they shared with us.

Nickeshia Garrick:

"Within the KAIR residency, I am very excited to explore the rhythms, music, rituals, and magic of the Caribbean connected through the African Diaspora; specifically, West Africa. I am interested in how these explorations inform my voice and body."

Irma Villafuerte:

"The possibility to explore from a place of personal truth and revitalization of language. This residency will offer an in depth, meaningful approach to my practice from a place of excavation, which is essentially a life long practice. I am excited to engage further into Nahuat language class, nahuat poetry, and illustration."

Follow what Irma and Nickeshia are up to as we share updates during their journeys! For full artist bios, visit our Collaborators page.