LatinXtension

Mentorship & Networking Program

David Herrera Performance Company's LatinXtensions is the only comprehensive culturally centered Latinx mentorship and networking program in the United States. The 12-month program advises emerging Latinx dance artists in developing their professional artistic practice. Capacity building focuses on non-profit management skills, producing, grant writing practice, equity best practices, engaging communities, building artistic networks, articulating values, and long-term career goals. Participants will exchange ideas, collectively troubleshoot production and administrative problems, and develop ways to create and support each other tangibly as a community. The program's second focus creates a network with other regional and national Latinx artists; thus developing a rich and thriving community support system of dance artists, presenters, curators, and collaborators.

Who is Eligible
The program is open to any emerging self-identifying Latinx/e/a/o dance artist with under 5 years of self or organizational production experience and/or under 5 years of professional dance experience. Emerging and early career. The program is not currently open to high school students. Undergraduate and Graduate students may apply so long as applicants can attend scheduled sessions without long-term interruptions.

LatinXtensions artists are diverse in dance genres, Latinidad, and location. Past mentees have practiced contemporary, modern, whacking, folklorico, breaking, Bomba, ballet, Butoh, diverse Brazilian styles, diverse Latinx Indigenous movement, Caribbean styles, and more. Artists have hailed from across the U.S. including California, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Georgia, Minnesota, Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida.

Mentors
David Herrera, with over 20 years experience in the professional dance field is the the program's main mentor. However, other Latinx/e professional working artists serve as guest mentors during cycles. Guest Mentors have included: Rosie Herrera, Omar Román de Jesús, Vanessa Sanchez, Mark Travis Rivera, Yvonne Montoya, Ana Maria Alvarez, LROD Rodriguez, Alfonso Cervera, "MIss Funk" Jackie Lopez-Foaad, and many more.

Applications for 2027 Cycle Now Open
Due November 29, 2026

2027 will mark David Herrera Performance Company's LatinXtensions 8th cycle. LatinXtensions is specifically focused to advance and champion Latinx/e dancers, choreographers, and administrators in the United States. Our 51 alumni hail from Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, Florida, New Mexico, California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Virginia, Oregon, and more.

The 2027 cycle will be a national cohort (limited capacity):
1) National cohort (virtual)

Who is Eligible:

The program is open to any self-identifying emerging or early-mid-career Latinx/e dance artist
Highly recommended for artists with under 5 years of self production experience
Artists with professional experience but interested in developing their existing capacities or shifting into a new role, particularly dancers building out their independent practice, dancers developing a company, or company directors wanting to expand their administrative skill sets.
You must be located/living in the U.S. to apply for the National cohort.
The program is not currently open to high school students or past cohort members. Undergraduate and Graduate students may apply so long as applicants can attend scheduled sessions without long-term interruptions.

About the Program:

The program runs January 2027 – December 2027
The National cohort will meet every third Thursday of the month 10am - 12pm PST (1pm -3pm EST).
2 hour monthly virtual cohort meetings.
1-on-1 monthly meeting with David Herrera, focusing on artist's personal goals.
Meetings will include, but are not limited to: guest speakers from around the country, discussion on artistic practice, cohort sharing, and professional development writing practice.

APPLY - Due Nov 29

Testimonials

"I have really enjoyed LatinXtensions and would recommend it to others. It’s been so nice to connect with other Latin American artists and receive mentorship from David. It’s been so helpful to hear from David and other guest artists about their experiences with presenting work (grant writing, managing rehearsals, fundraising, marketing, networking, touring). I learned so much and look forward to implementing this information in my future endeavors. Watching shows [together] has been very informative in how I approach my work. It’s been neat to see what elements of a performance read across audience members...and what does not. Our post show discussions have been very fruitful in this way. Last but not least, I’ve enjoyed connecting with my peers - other artists who are also up and coming choreographers/dancers."
- Jocelyn Reyes

"I strongly believe that the tools and resources I have acquired from the LatinXtensions will help me to the next step of my artistic journey. Being able to have this mentorship and network with others that are knowledgeable in how to be present and demand change is inspiring. With this a better understanding of what I and my company stands for was born."
- Héctor Jaime

"I learned tools to enrich my biography, artistic statement, mission statement as I continue my dance career & advocacy efforts. I gained knowledge in negotiating pay & contracts, crafting newsletter, grant writing, website building, ways to network that goes beyond transactional connections. "
- Vanessa Cruz

" I came in with very specific goals regarding my career but David helped me unpack them and make them more visible by transforming these goals into personal accountability goals which made my dream goals actually become more feasible and attainable. I deepened my personal administrative skills, honed in on my accountability and what are the strategies to hold myself to that standard."

- Javier Padilla