Daniel L. Padierna (MFA NYU Tisch, BA Montclair State University): Artistic Director of Padierna Dance Project, is a queer Latino dance creator hailing from Wallington, New Jersey. With Diversity of Dance, Inc., Padierna has served as a resident choreographer and educator for Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts Summer Dance Intensives, Winter Repertory Series, and Hearts of Men programs for the past four years. His choreography has been produced at Bryant Park, 14th Street Y, Dance Against Cancer at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Brooklyn High School of the Arts, and numerous New Jersey and New York pre-professional dance programs. Padierna commissioned work for the Young Choreographer’s Festival at Symphony Space, NYC in 2019, as well as Jersey (NEW) Moves! Festival of Dance at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in 2018 and 2019. Padierna is currently an Assistant Professor of Modern dance at Shenandoah Conservatory located in Winchester, VA.