Safos Dance Theatre is a small emerging non-profit dance company founded in Tucson, AZ in 2009.
We collaborate with other Latinx serving and/or AZ-based organizations to offer programs that fulfill our mission.
Supporting a modern dance unique experience to the US-Mexico borderlands
Safos’ mission is to create contemporary artistic forms that reflect the common experiences of our diverse communities.
Supporting a modern dance unique experience to the US-Mexico borderlands
OUR ARTISTS
Yvonne Montoya
(Director of Safos Dance Theatre/Más Choreographer and Dancer/Blaktina Choreographer and Dancer) Yvonne studied dance at The University of Arizona. She performed with Tucson modern dance companies FUNHOUSE movement theater and New ARTiculations Dance Theatre. In addition, Ms. Montoya danced for Zeffirelli 8, was a local teaching artist for Ballet Hispanico, and served as the Interim Dance Director for Mountain View HS. In 2008, Ms. Montoya produced three choreographies as a commissioned artist for the presentation of “Undocumented Historias in the Desert of Dreams” produced by Dr. Ricardo Castro Salazar of the Fundación México and Dr. Carl Bagley of Durham University. In 2009, she founded Safos Dance Theatre where she currently works as the director. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Ms. Montoya worked as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Arizona’s Department of Mexican American Studies from 2006-2012.
Grace Rhyne
(Dancer/Graphic Designer/Visual Artist)- Grace Rhyne began dancing with the Ballet West Academy in Salt Lake City, Utah where she trained for five years. Grace co-founded the East High Dance Krew and for two years served as President until graduating early with honors. Since moving to Tucson in 2011, Grace continues to study modern dance with Mr. Norman Walker, choreograph, and has recently joined the faculty at the Arizona Ballet Theatre. Grace also performs with Esperanza Dance Project, a non-profit that aims to raise awareness about childhood sexual violence. Grace has been dancing with Safos for the past 4 seasons, and enjoys it profoundly. Grace is also a visual artist, working in predominately three-dimensional recycled materials, and holds the position of Executive Director of the WomanKraft Art Center, a non-profit art center located on Stone Avenue in Tucson, Arizona.
Vanessa Corona
(Dancer) has been dancing since the age of 5, beginning with Folklorico, Jazz & Hip Hop. She later grew to love, Contemporary, Modern, Interpretive, Theater Arts, Cabaret, Latin, Ballroom and African. In 2004, she began ballroom dancing, because of her love for Frank Sinatra and the desire to dance to his music. Vanessa has worked for multiple companies in different cities as a Performer, Music & Movement teacher, Musical Theatre Choreographer and Salsa Instructor. Some highlights have been performing at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, traveling to Argentina to learn Tango, performing in a dance video and being an “extra” in movies, including a role as a dancer. One of the most enjoyable things for Vanessa is to choreograph and teach school musical theatre productions. Dance and the Arts, to her, are not only a part of life, they are a way of life. This is her first performance with Safos.
