Meet the 2024 MDM Artists
Cecilia Benitez // The Moss Center
Cecilia Benitez was born and raised in Miami, Florida and earned her BFA in dance from Point Park University in 2020. Currently a freelance artist based in Miami, she dances for Rosie Herrera Dance Theater, Adele Myers and Dancers, and Syncopate Collective. Her choreography has been commissioned by Miami Light Project’s “Here and Now” program, Pioneer Winter’s “Grass Stains”, Bistoury Physical Theater and Film, Miami- Dade County Cultural Affairs, and Mutual Dance Theatre, in Cincinnati Ohio. When not dancing you can find her biking, writing letters, or making Cuban coffee. Ceci is so excited to be a 2024 Miami DanceMaker!
“Miami DanceMakers is a thoughtfully designed program that enabled me to explore and refine my artistic voice and vision. I had access to a comprehensive framework that provided the resources and tools necessary to bring my choreography to life. Presenting my work at the Pérez Art Museum of Miami at the was a pivotal moment, boosting my confidence and affirming my strengths as a choreographer, collaborator, and community facilitator. This experience profoundly deepened my relationship to my practice and strengthened my connection to the local and national dance community.”
Clinton Harris // Live Arts Miami
Clint T. Harris is from Miami, FL where he currently dances with Peter London Global Dance Company. Harris has also performed in works choreographed by Enrique Villacreses, Mike Tyus, Jamar Roberts, and Justin Rapaport on stages throughout South Florida including the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Miami Beach Bandshell, African American Cultural Arts
Center, Live ARTS at Super Blue, and internationally in Trinidad and Martinique. In
2020, Harris was selected for "Grass Stains," a site-specific dance project directed by Pioneer Winter Collective. In 2015, he was featured in the Lifetime TV Network docuseries "Step! Up," which captured the lives of inner-city youth and their unwavering passion for dance.
“Miami Dancemakers is the first program I have participated in that has TRULY elevated my strengths and transformed my weaknesses. This experience gave me the tools to grow as an artist and as an individual in a supportive community. I’m not saying I’m ready to take over the world, but thanks to this process, I’m one hundred steps closer!”
Erika Loyola // The Moss Center
Erika Loyola was born in Guayaquil- Ecuador. She received her BFA in new classical ballet from the institution of Danza Raymond Mauge Thoniel. Loyola danced and choreographed professionally throughout Ecuador before relocating to Miami where she obtained an Associate of Arts Degree from Miami Dade College. She danced professionally with Jubilation Dance Ensemble and Olujimi Dance Collective under the direction of Michelle Grant Murray. She is also a performer with Aura Entertainment. Loyola recently presented her solo “Claim your Power” at the Asociación Ecuatoriana in Atlanta. Erika has been an Artist in Residence for Arts for Learning Miami and FIU since 2023.
“The Miami DanceMakers program pushes us to follow our dreams and navigate the reality of being an artist. This is a fantastic and unique program that helped me have confidence in my artistic process and public speaking. I will be forever grateful for this program because I now feel prepared to move to the next level. This platform is so necessary and was the best experience I ever had.”
To view past artists visit our MDM Alumni page.
MiamiDanceMakers is a professional development and community engagement program brought to you by Adele Myers and Dancers, Inc. in collaboration with the following local partners:
