Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Marciano Silva dos Santos - Season 5, Episode 74

A native of Brazil, Marciano Silva dos Santos is recognized by the American FolkloricSociety as a “Brazilian artist of unique and exceptional ability and merit.” Silva dosSantos founded Contempo Physical Dance in 2011 and in the same year theStarTribune reported, “Marciano Silva dos Santos is a relatively fresh face in town. He wasted little time in making his mark.” He quickly gained recognition for hisprofessional dancing and swiftly made a place for himself in Minnesota. Marciano hasbeen named “Best Dancer” by City Pages, “one of the most graceful movers on anyTwin Cities Stage”by the StarTribune and “one of the hottest choreographers in town”by Minnesota Monthly Magazine. He is also bringing global African diasporiccontemporary dance to Minnesota with international choreography residencies,including Nildinha Fonseca from Balé Folclórico da Bahia (Brazil), Patrick Acognyfrom l'Ecole des Sables (Senegal). Now in partnership with the Mcknight International Choreographer Residency program, Contempo Physical Dance is commissioning a third choreographer to create a new work in 2022. Marciano is a recipient of a 2020 McKnight Fellowship for Dancers. After years of dedication as a dancer, teacher and choreographer, Silva dos Santos received his Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Hollins University.