BIOGRAPHY
Issa Perez (they/them/theirs) is a native of the Bronx, New York and is a syndicated musician, movement, and drag artist. They graduated from high school at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2009 and went on to receive a BFA in dance performance from SUNY Purchase in 2013, where they are now on faculty. As a student, Issa had the honor of performing works by Pam Tanowitz, Lar Lubovitch, Twyla Tharp, Nicolo Fonte, Kate Skarpetowska, Emma Sofia Pfaeffle Caymares, and John Heginbotham. After graduating, Issa toured around the world as a member of Andrea Miller’s Gallim Dance, and then joined the cast of Punchdrunk’s ‘Sleep No More’ in 2018. In 2020, Issa’s love for theater, music and the vibrant NYC nightlife community, culminated in the creation of the award winning multidisciplinary duo, The Dragon Sisters. In 2023, they broke the Guinness World Record for the most attended drag brunch, which took place at the Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. The event was hosted by H&M, Marsha P. Johnson Institute, and GAYLETTER im celebration and support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Beyond taking on dance, music and nightlife, Issa has also been featured by fashion brands like Adidas, Alexander Wang, Daniel Vosovic’s The Kit, Gypsy Sport and has been in Vogue, LadyGunn, Billboard, and PAPER magazine with the Queen of Pop, Madonna. Issa can be seen in HBO’s “Random Acts of Flyness”, OUTtv, TELFAR.TV, and in RevryTV’s “Queens of Kings”.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
In this class, the goal is to transform and update your training each day, to develop as the artist and master of your own journey. You will find the versatility and expressive prowess, that will seamlessly translate from our intermediate contemporary technique class, to live performance, film, or everyday life. With their experience in movement and performance, Issa will guide you in cultivating reliable technique and heightened physical awareness. Explore the dynamic interplay between body, motion, and energy, harnessing the power of breath to connect movements and enhance your overall artistic approach. Challenge yourself to set personal goals, pushing boundaries for self-discovery and virtuosity. Embrace the courage to take risks, fostering a spirit of daring exploration in your movement vocabulary. This class aims to help you gain precise control over your body, and understand the relationship between your extremities and the core. With influences from Graham, Cunningham, Gaga, Hip Hop, Heels and more, this class serves to form you into a secure and well-rounded dancer.