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written & photographed by CHRISTINA CAMPODONICO

DanceMapLA has churned the waters and in it we find spectacular talent. Take a look at Christian Fajardo:

For Christian Fajardo, dancing is all about exploring new paths, even if they take him into uncharted territory.

“I am constantly out of my comfort zone to discover ways in [which] we can all communicate through the language of movement,” says Fajardo, who is a senior in Cal State Long Beach’s BFA Dance program.

Fajardo was born in the Philippines and moved frequently as a child due to his father’s military service, but dance has been a way for him to make connections in unfamiliar settings and between dance disciplines.

[Video by JONATHAN SCHELL | Courtesy of RACHEL NEUBECK | Edited by CHRISTINA CAMPODONICO]

In middle school he experimented with breakdancing to eighties and nineties soul music, then began taking formal dance classes at Grossmont High in El Cajon, California to overcome his fear of dancing with girls. He was the first male dancer at his school. By the time he graduated he was one of fifteen and commended by the school’s faculty “for influencing the learning system.”

Now at CSULB, Fajardo builds on his background in hip-hop, social dancing, jazz, ballet and modern to choreograph and perform. Participating in the DanceMapLA census has expanded Fajardo’s dance discoveries. Fajardo was surprised to learn from the survey’s results that a “large percentage” of dancers only attend about three performances per year.

“What does that say to the general public, who doesn’t often see dance?” says Fajardo. “It would seem that a large portion of us have a difficult time maintaining an audience, let alone finding an audience.”

While a consistent dance audience may remain elusive, Fajardo keeps “connected” to L.A.’s dance community on stage, as well as, off by going to see dance concerts and projects recommended by his friends, instructors and social media. For Fajardo, going out to see and experience dance in Los Angeles is all about sampling even more diverse dance styles.

“I can choose any exposure,” says Fajardo who seeks out everything from Broadway-style dance to martial arts capoeira.

Having taken the DanceMapLA survey, Fajardo is even more eager to explore.

“I never realized how many dance locations there were on the map,” says Fajardo, referring to the map of studios, rehearsal spaces and performance venues featured on DanceMapLA’s website.

“LA County is not only the hub of an eclectic dance community. It’s a dance playground out here.”