RCC Dance Students Explore Identity and Art at Inland Empire Dance Festival

Two talented Riverside City College (RCC) dance students, Jonathan Ramirez-Toledo and Kat Jones, recently took center stage at the 3rd Annual Inland Empire Dance Festival on August 24 at the Fox Black Box Theater in Riverside. Their performance—a powerful, emotionally charged queer duet choreographed by Jonathan—drew acclaim from audiences, further highlighting the exceptional talent fostered within RCC’s Dance Department.

Jonathan Ramirez-Toledo, a choreographer deeply inspired by their experiences as a queer individual, crafted the piece titled “Conquest of Man” for RCC’s Summer Showcase. The duet, which challenges traditional religious perspectives and the negative connotations often associated with the term "gay," captured the attention of the Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet and earned a place in the festival's prestigious lineup.

Jonathan expressed excitement about the opportunity to present their work at the festival:

"When I found out my choreography would be showcased at the Inland Empire Dance Festival, I was very pleased. This piece received such positive feedback during RCC's Summer Showcase, and I was thrilled to share my work and process with the broader community."

They further explained that the piece explores two prominent aspects of their life: the intersection of religious identity and queer existence. Jonathan aimed to dismantle the negativity that often surrounds these subjects, using their choreography to send a message of love and acceptance.

“I wanted to deconstruct and push the limits of the significance those two things had to push this message of love and show that there is truly no need for negativity, especially when honing in on the religious aspect,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan's creative process began well before the Summer Showcase, as they searched for music and inspiration to craft the piece. The juxtaposition of operatic, choral sounds with hard-hitting techno beats created a unique, dynamic movement sequence.

"It was fun and interesting to work with such contrasting sounds," Jonathan reflected, "but it also put a block in my creative process at times. Finding ways to differentiate the movement and meld them together was a challenge, but one I enjoyed."

Kat Jones, Jonathan’s duet partner, also shared their thoughts on the experience of being selected for the piece.

"It was really exciting and a little nerve-racking because I hadn’t worked with Johnny one-on-one before, but I was ready for the challenge," Kat said.

Despite initial nerves, the two dancers quickly found their rhythm, building on the chemistry developed in previous RCC performances. Kat found the piece liberating, as it required both dancers to be vulnerable with each other and the audience.

"The piece has so many elements that could make someone feel uncomfortable, but we had no choice but to be vulnerable," Kat explained. "As an artist, I appreciate being able to tackle these uncomfortable yet true topics to bring a sense of awareness."

Both dancers credit RCC’s Dance Department for providing the foundation they needed to succeed as artists.

Jonathan acknowledged the influence of the department on their growth as a dancer and choreographer, specifically praising faculty members Rosa Frazier and Mark Haines:

"Working with all the amazing professors in the program, you get such a variety of training, paving your way as a dancer and choreographer to really become something great in the future."

Kat also highlighted their growth through RCC’s program, noting the opportunities it has provided to explore different dance styles and refine their technique. After completing their studies, Kat plans to pursue a professional career in the commercial dance industry.

For Jonathan and Kat, performing at the Inland Empire Dance Festival was a significant moment in their artistic journeys. It allowed them to showcase their individual talents and the powerful messages embedded in their work.

"I hope the audience allowed themselves to just be tender, experiencing a different type of lens to look through without judgment," Kat said.

The Inland Empire Dance Festival, now in its third year, features a wide array of professional dance performances from esteemed companies across the region. Jonathan and Kat’s duet was among many performances that evening and stood out for its emotional depth and daring exploration of identity; offering a poignant reminder of the power of dance to spark dialogue and foster understanding.

The RCC Dance Department will continue to nurture emerging talents like Jonathan and Kat, exploring the impact of art and education. Jonathan’s future ambitions include not only creating more choreography but also teaching the next generation of dancers, while Kat looks forward to a dynamic career in dance performance and education.

Congratulations to both dancers on their outstanding duet and continued artistic journeys.