est. 2001, 501c3, new york city

Esse Aficionado was formed under the premise that dance is a collaborative and experimental process. Its three founding members, Gina Graham, Veronica De La Rosa and Maki Morinoue choreographed dances and produced shows in New York City and Seattle for well over two decades. The artistic vision of the company is now led by Graham, a choreographer and collagist residing in New York City and De La Rosa, in Los Angeles. Morinoue has moved on from the company and remains a close friend and EA advisor. The work of Esse Aficionado features collaborations from artists across multiple disciplines with the purpose of creating works of thought‐provoking dance art.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & Founder - GINA GRAHAM

Graham's work has been presented by Movement Research at Judson Church, Dixon Place, Green Space, DUMBO Dance Festival, inception to exhibition (ITE) Festival, and Velocity Dance Center’s  Next Festival  in Seattle. Her co-choreographed works have premiered in Seattle at the Northwest New Works Festival, On the Boards Festival and MiKiJio Arts. Graham graduated with a BFA in Dance Composition from Purchase Conservatory. She also explores new concepts and ideas through her collage work, which has been exhibited in New York City and Seattle.

FOUNDING DIRECTOR - VERONICA DE LA ROSA

Veronica is a graduate of Purchase College Conservatory of Dance with a BFA in Dance and a Certificate in Arts Management. Upon graduating, Veronica moved to New York City, studied at Merce Cunningham Studio as a scholarship student and co‐founded Esse Aficionado. As Founding Director, De La Rosa spearheads every aspect of EA’s productions and is Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Throughout her versatile dance career, Veronica has performed in various dance companies, musicals and sideshows. The Los Angeles native attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and was a member of Kitetails, a company led by her mentor, post‐modern pioneer, Rudy Perez.