FERNANDO A. CHONQUI
Dance Artist - Yoga Instructor
ABOUT ME
Originally from Ecuador, Fernando A. Chonqui is a choreographer, educator, and performer currently based between Central Florida, U.S.A. and Paris, France. The explorations of physical and internal sensations that result from physical actions are central to Fernando’s work as a performer and choreographer. He seeks to utilize these sensations as a guide for a “story-telling” experience unique to each performer and viewer. As an educator, Fernando creates and encourages a safe environment for making mistakes; “I am a huge believer that in order to learn something new, we have to get it wrong first."
Fernando has performed under the direction of recognized choreographers such as Michael Foley, Kristen O’Neal, Bliss Kohlmyer, Susan Douglas Roberts, and Tiffany Rhynard. Additionally, Fernando has further developed his dance education under the direction of International Dance Educators like Nathalie Pubellier, Clint Lutes, Julien Desplantez, Shonach Mirk-Robles, Wanjiru Kamuyu, Heidi Weiss, Nadine Beaulieu, Maurice Causey, and Kevin Quinaou.
Fernando has had the honor to serve as an Arts Administration Intern at the prestigious Bates Dance Festival from 2015-2017. He holds a 200hrs Yoga Teacher Training certification, a leadership certification from the Florida College System Student Government Association and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies from the University of South Florida.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I create stories by building relationships between bodies and space. Space is an opportunity; it has meaning, feeling, purpose and narration. Each body relates to space in its own individual way.
I am inspired by the elements of diversity, opportunity, and restraint. I explore the physical and internal sensations these elements create in the body so the stories that are told are unique to each body in space.