RUBBERBAND Dance Workshop: Expression through movement

Daveth Cheth along with fellow Santa Monica College dance students practice the tripod dance move during a workshop taught by Victor Quijada on Wednesday, March 16, 2025, at the Center for Performing Arts at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)

Artistic Director Victor Quijada teaches the Rubberband method to Santa Monica College dance students on Wednesday, March 16, 2025, at the Center for Performing Arts at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College partnered with BroadStage to offer a three day artist in residency workshop in conjunction with the presentation of Rubberband’s Second Chances performance at the BroadStage on March 8th and 9th. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College dance students listen during the artist in residency workshop taught by Victor Quijada on Wednesday, March 16, 2025, at the Center for Performing Arts at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College partnered with BroadStage to offer a three-day artist in residency workshop with artistic director and choreographer of the Rubberband method, Victor Quijada. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College dance students practice the tripod dance move during a workshop taught by Victor Quijada on Wednesday, March 16, 2025, at the Center for Performing Arts at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif. Santa Monica College partnered with BroadStage to offer a three-day artist in residency workshop with artistic director and choreographer of the Rubberband method, Victor Quijada. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)

Mayu Oishi, center, along with fellow Santa Monica College dance students practice the tripod dance move during a workshop taught by Victor Quijada on Wednesday, March 16, 2025, at the Center for Performing Arts at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif. (Mary Funsten | The Corsair)

The SMC dance department partnered with BroadStage, offering a three-day residency to RUBBERBAND. It included technique classes, combining their signature fusion of hip-hop, elegance of ballet and contemporary dance. This residency at Santa Monica College was in conjunction with their performances on March 8 And 9 at BroadStage.  

Victor Quijada started the workshop by walking around, asking how everyone felt– he knew the kids by name, making them feel comfortable. Quijada has over 20 years of experience as a choreographer, founding RUBBERBAND in 2002. 

After taking the class, student Annie Fleishman said, “It was really helpful to learn a different technique in a new style. I’m someone who wants to learn new modalities in terms of teaching as well, and seeing the way that he developed his own curriculum and his own personal style was really inspiring and cool to be a part of and learn from.”