Metzi Henriquez
Born in El Salvador and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, Metzi Henriquez is the Artistic Director of Fogo Na Roupa performing company and Grupo Carnavalesco. She began her dance journey at the San Francisco School of the Arts Dance Department where she studied under the direction of Elvia Marta and trained with artists such as Michelle Martin (Afro-Haitian) and Reginald Savage (Jazz). After years of training, performing, and teaching in Eurocentric based dances, Metzi found inspiration in dances of the African Diaspora and became a student of Afro-Brasilian dance and folklore with Mestre Carlos Aceituno founder of Fogo Na Roupa. Her teaching repertoire consists of Step-in Out Dance Studio, SF Arts Education Residencies, and guest artist workshops at Oakland School of the Arts Savage Dance Summer Intensive, SF School of the Arts World Dance Department, and New World Ballet.
Metzi‘s choreographies have been featured at the Oakland Raiders Half times show, SF 49ers pre-game show, Ethnic Dance Festival, World Arts West Rotunda Series, and SF Symphony 100-year Celebration, among others. Her pride and joy are tending to the 30-year legacy of Mestre Carlos Aceituno, Fogo Na Roupa who under her direction has continued to win numerous Carnaval grand prizes and A Corazón del Barrio Award from Mission Cultural Center. She also holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology and has been a practicing therapist for over 15 years for immigrant youth and families in San Francisco.
Email: metziquetzal@icloud.com
Instagram: @gofogonaroupa
Facebook: @fogonaroupa