Meet the DME Team
Meli Lincoln, Co-Director
Carmen Lucia Lincoln (Meli) is a Mexican citizen and USA resident artist, she has been based in the Mni Sota since 2019. Meli explores the movement as a means of connection between the emotional and physical body to empower and create transformational experiences that open channels of communication and strengthen the sense of belonging within the community and the world. Her artistic research is based on modern, afro-modern, jazz, contemporary, and Mayan prehispanic dance techniques.
Meli’s artistic career started in 2000, and has toured in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the US productions including: Nadie es inocente (GDL, MX), Palenque Rojo & Los dueños del Tiempo (CHPS, MX), Travesia Maya (QR, MX) and Con Mucho Corazón (Univision MX and USA). Since 2007 she has taught Pre-Ballet and Modern dance.
Meli holds a Master in Tourism Management from Colorado State University 2019. She has been committed to the creation of dance work and promoting access to cultural activities for over two decades.
Meli is a recipient of the 2022 Generating Room residency spring cohort at The Cowles Center, dance cast with the company Time Track Productions for the performance Toward Utopia September 2022, dance cast for the McKnight International Choreographers Residency with Mario Nascimento and Contempo Physical Dance October - November 2022, Xchange Coordinator at Zenon Dance School, Co-Founder of Dance Projects by ME, and an artist company member of Ananya Dance Theatre.
Erika Martin, Co-Director
Erika Martin is a non-binary dancer, educator, choreographer, and engaged citizen. Originally from NC, Erika received a BA in Dance from Connecticut College and had the privilege to study abroad at the Trinity Laban School for Dance, UK. Their choreography investigates identity performance and how experience is manifest in movement.
Erika has performed works by Kyle Abraham, Ronald K. Brown, David Dorfman, Elm City Dance Collective, Ori Floman, Ohad Naharin, Paula Mann, Doug Varonne and Shen Wei. They are the 2015 recipient of the Martha Myers Prize and the 2017 recipient of the Joan Connell Memorial Award. To date, Erika’s professional works have been shown in museums, theaters, and public spaces in Connecticut, New York, Maine and Minnesota: notably at the Lyman Art Museum (CT), Schaefer Theatre Box, Bates Dance Festival (ME), Melrose Ballroom (NY), Praxis Gallery, The Cowles Center, Barbara Barker Center for Dance, Dances at the Lake Festival and DanceBarn (MN).
Erika currently serves as School Coordinator for Zenon Dance School, Artistic Director of eMartin Dance, and Co-Founder of Dance Projects by ME.
Monica Merino