WHO WE ARE

We believe that great art will change you.

Photo by Bette Linderman 

Mission Statement


We are a group of dancemakers who believe that art creates change and that it should be accessible to all. We also believe that it can be made through collaborative and inclusive processes, with many voices contributing to powerful performance products. We hope to bring unique and innovative contemporary dance to a wide audience, and reveal the aspects of humanity that connect us all.


Claire Calalo

Photo by Vince Trupsin

I'm a proud Bay Area native from the lovely Fremont, California. I received an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of California at Irvine, and B.A. in Theater with a Dance emphasis from Santa Clara University. I became infatuated with modern dance in Angela Demmel's class at Moreau Catholic High School about 12 years ago, and I have been fortunate enough to study with, and become hugely influenced by, all my teachers since then, including Loretta Livingston, Lisa Naugle, Donald McKayle, David Popalisky, Kristin Kusanovich, Abigail Hosein, and Carolyn Silberman.

My artistic life has been defined by a desire to explore the profound relationships that exist between dance, education, and activism for social justice. I've learned so much from traveling and dancing in Belize, Spain, and Nicaragua, and I hope to contribute to stages around the world by presenting unique and evocative choreographic works. My main goal is to use dance to illuminate the universality of the human condition and democratize the process of dance-making itself by employing collaborative and interdisciplinary methods. I also feel fortunate to find expression in other artists' works, which currently includes that of Angela Demmel & Dancers, Lauren Baines Dance/Theatre, and Nhan Ho Project.




Jessica de Leon

photo by Douglas Berry 

fcdc holds a special place in my heart and I am totally psyched to be working with this amazing group of people! Born and raised in Hayward, CA, I've spent the majority of my life being influenced by the sights and sounds of the Bay Area. I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2009 with a B.A. in Theatre with a Dance emphasis and a B.S. in Political Science (Go Broncos!). As a dancer, I've worked with many talented choreographers including Angela Demmel, David Popalisky, Joe Goode, Lauren Baines, Calire Calalo, Rebecca Gilbert, and Abigail Hosien. I received my J.D. from Golden Gate University, School of Law in 2012 and am currently working in alternative dispute resolution. I am constantly looking for ways to integrate my interest in the law with my passion for art.




Lauren Baines

Photo by Bette Linderman 

Dance is my passion and since “discovering” modern dance in middle school, I never looked back. I received both a B.A. and a B.S. from Santa Clara University, triple majoring in Theatre Arts (Dance Emphasis), Art History, and Psychology. These backgrounds, my general love of the arts, and other interests inform my choreography and approach to performance. A Bay Area native, I’m constantly energized by the amazing work around me. I have presented my work throughout the Bay Area and have performed with many local choreographers and companies including Claire Calalo, Abigail Hosein (ahdanco), David Popalisky and Bih-tau Sung (Dancing Sun). I’ve also studied with, and presented the work of, other choreographers/companies, including Joe Goode, Erika Chong Shuch, Anna Halprin, Cheryl Chaddick and the José Limón Dance Company. I teach dance around the South Bay, and currently work as Assistant Artistic Director for the Cardboard Box Theatre Project and Project Manager for Education; Artistic Programs at the Montalvo Arts Center.




Rosie Ortega

photo by Douglas Berry

Having danced since the age of three focusing on folklorico, ballet, jazz, hip hop and now modern, I consider dance to be a part of who I am rather than simply something I do. I recently graduated from Santa Clara University Class of 2013 with a double major in Political Science & Spanish and a minor in Dance. Having studied under the direction of Kristin Kusanovich and the other Theatre & Dance faculty members at Santa Clara, I have grown not only as a dancer, but also a performer in general. I believe dance connects us on a deeper level that is not explainable in words. Now as a member of for change dance collective, I am realizing my ambitions to continue to grow as an artist and explore the diverse performing arts community in the Bay Area. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented artists and excited for future performing adventures whatever they may be. And hey let's be honest, dance saves me the money I would spend on an expensive gym membership I’d rarely use.




Samantha Nielsen

photo by Molly Murphy

Samantha Nielsen began her dance training at age four in the Cecchetti method of ballet at the Montecito School of Ballet in Santa Barbara, California, and completed her Advanced II exam in the Cecchetti method at seventeen. She received a BA in both Theater Arts with a Dance emphasis and Communication from Santa Clara University in 2010. Since moving to the bay area in 2006 she has had the opportunity to work with many talented choreographers such as Abigail Hosein, Kristen Kusanovitch, Tandy Beal, David Popalisky, Claire Calalo, Lauren Baines, and Nahn Ho as well as the dance company Cardinalidae. Samantha is heavily influenced by her early years in classical ballet and continues to bring the ballet aesthetic to her dancing, working to integrate it with the jazz and modern styles that she has studied in more recent years. She is very excited to now be dancing with for change dance collective, and to have found an expressive, creative and collaborative environment to continue her study of dance.