Hedwig Dances: Open Company Classes!

HEDWIG DANCES offers Open Company Classes at the Ruth Page Center in a series of consecutive Thursdays from January 22 to April 9, 2026 featuring three incredible company artists from our Spring 2026 season: Hedwig Dances’ company members: Heriberto Meneses, Olivia Gonzalez, and Milo Sachse-Hofheimer.

Register for classes a la carte OR- dance more, save more! Purchase a bundle of 4 classes for $40 or the entire 12 week intensive for $100.

Packages include exclusive discounts for Hedwig's Spring Concert April 25-26 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

DAYS: Thursdays (January 22 to April 9)

TIME: 11 AM to 12:15 PM

LOCATION: Ruth Page Center, Studio 4

CLASS FEE: $12 (non-refundable)

HOLIDAY BUNDLE of all 12 classes (until January 11, 2026): $100 (non-refundable)

Milo Sachse-Hofheimer - Contemporary

January 22 & 29, February 5 & 12

Milo Sachse-Hofheimer guides participants through improvisational structures and choreography, readying the body to release, move into the floor, and tap into a range of performative qualities. Throughout the class, emphasis is placed on consciously pushing endurance to understand the potential of one’s body. Each class concludes with a choreographed sequence utilizing class tools and performative decision making.

Folks of all ranges of experiences and identities are welcome to participate. Accommodations to the class are possible so that everyone can fully participate.

Milo’s movement practice is inspired by release-based techniques, contemporary floor work, as well as somatic practices.

Olivia Gonzalez - Contemporary (Low Flying)

February 19 & 26, March 5 & 12

Olivia Gonzalez invites you to explore new physical possibilities with freedom, sensitivity, and a joyful approach to movement. In this contemporary dance class, dancers dive into floor work (flying low) and explore body weight and movement fluidity. Throughout, Olivia’s class focuses on group techniques that encourage listening, collective connection, and the creation of shared movement.

By incorporating spatial travel sequences, transitioning from low to medium and high levels, the class develops coordination, dynamic quality, and stage presence.

Through technical exercises that progress gradually, dancers build a strong foundation and deepen their physical awareness, allowing each participant to advance at their own pace.

Heriberto Meneses - Contemporary

March 19 & 26, April 2 & 9

Heriberto Meneses’s class balances contemporary dance technique; while engaging dancers in the exploration of their individual artistry. The class thoroughly explores the body-to floor connection---emphasizing fluidity, core strength, and balance. Integrating each dancer’s unique movement vocabulary, the class merges floor techniques, partnering, and choreographic phrases with spontaneous expression.

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Heriberto Meneses graduated from the prestigious National School of Art in Havana, Cuba in 2016. After completing his studies he was selected to be a member of the world-renowned “Danza Contemporanea de Cuba”. During his five years working with the company, he had the privilege of working with great choreographers such as George Cespedes, Theo Clinkard, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and many others. In 2020 he continued his journey, in Malpaso Dance Company, in which he had the opportunity to perform amazing dances by Ohad Naharin (“Tabula Rasa”) and Mats Ek (“Woman with Water”), and other great choreographers like Aszure Barton, Robyn Mineko Williams, Daile Carrazana and Alexander Ekman.

Olivia Gonzalez is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher who graduated from the National School of Art in Havana, Cuba. She began her training at the Afro-Cuban dance company JJ, where she completed her pre-professional practice. Olivia danced professionally with the Havana-based Retazos Dance Theater, performing in festivals such as Habana Vieja Ciudad en Movimiento in Cuba, as well as international events in Canada, Uruguay, and the United States. She was also part of Transits – Havana, a global dance collaboration between Sweden and Cuba. After relocating to Chicago, Olivia continued to expand her artistic career with Concert Dance, Inc. and with Hedwig Dances. She has since performed and toured internationally with Hedwig Dances and has taught Cuban-style modern dance for the Company. Olivia also teaches contemporary and Afro-Cuban dance at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

Milo Sachse-Hofheimer began studying dance in their hometown of Madison, WI at the age of eight. They credit their early dance training to Kanopy Dance Company where they studied the Graham technique under the direction of its company members, as well as Ballet, Horton, Hawkins, and Physical Theater. Milo graduated with a BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2023 where they received training from Erin Thompson, Ananya Chatterjea, Carl Flink, Hijack, Marciano Dos Santos, and Laura Osterhaus. They have performed in a variety of works presented at the Walker Art Museum, Steppenwolf Theater, DePaul Art Museum, Links Hall, Hair and Nails Gallery, and the Minneapolis/Indianapolis Fringe Festivals. Within the past year, they have begun working between Minneapolis and Chicago with Black Label Movement, House of DOV, and Hedwig Dances.