DanceCrest Festival is spearheaded and managed by Pinecrest Dance Project, a leading dance company founded in 2012, which has grown to offer youth dance programs to over 500 children at three locations: Pinecrest Community Center, Miami-Dade College and Miami Learning Experience School.
Founders
Glenda Cajigal
Glenda Cajigal founded Pinecrest Dance Project in 2010. Glenda specializes in Ballet, Modern Dance Techniques and Choreography. After more than 12 years working with the community, she found a need to create a Festival for all the studios to collaborate and interchange ideas.
She graduated with honors from the Cuban National School of Art and Dance, and later studied at the Cuban Superior Institute of Art. She obtained her Bachelor in Fine Arts in Theater with a Specialization in Theater and Dance from Barry University. More recently, Glenda obtained her Master in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Florida International University.
Miss Glenda has performed in several events, including the Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium (Miami, FL), El Canto del Hombre at The City Theater (Mexico City, Mexico), and Escaleras al Cielo at the National Theatre (Havana, Cuba).
Glenda has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best Interpretation in the International Contest “Percuba” (Havana, Cuba), as was three times awarded 1st Place in Choreography and Female Interpretation in the National Choreography Contest (Havana, Cuba).
Paula Alejandra Castaño
Paula Alejandra Castaño specializes in Flamenco and Modern Dance. She had the vision to organize a dance festival where people could showcase their dance pieces.
Paula Alejandra was awarded a scholarship to study at the Alvin Alley Dance Center, in New York City, USA. After graduating she moved to Madrid, Spain where she learned Flamenco. Currently, she is achieving a Master of Science in Global communication after receiving a Cum Laude degree in psychology at FIU. She continues to pursue her passion for performing and teaching with her organization Combined Arts Project where she uses the arts as a tool for education.
Paula has danced and choreographed Flamenco with Tcure Teatro (Madrid, Spain), Siudy Flamenco Dance Theater (Miami, FL), and Flamenco Puro Company (Miami, FL). Miss Paula also has performed in several events and companies, including Temporada de Zarzuela de Veranos de la Villa (Madrid, Spain), Karim Knoak Company (New York, USA), and Yurgaki Orchestra, (Colombia).
Susana Fajardo
Susana Fajardo specializes in Ballet, Modern Dance Acrobatics, and Hip Hop. Susana saw an opportunity in South Florida to create a dance festival to support the dancers and dance studios of the community.
Susana Fajardo obtained her Bachelor in Dance at Nova Southeastern University.
Susana Fajardo has danced in many performances and in numerous plays including Miami Dolphins-Austin Mahone Half Time Show (Miami, FL), Rio2 Movie Premiere and World Largest Samba Flash mob Guinness Record (Miami Beach, FL), and Ricky Martin’s Come with Me Music Video (Miami Beach, FL).
Miss Susana received the Performing and Visual Arts Scholarship from Nova Southeastern University, the Black Box Awards, and the Miami Dade Academic Excellency Performer Award.
