Click here to join this meeting on Zoom on October 20th at 4:30pm CT.

The curator of “The Burning Truth Project” reflects on the experience of collaboratively creating a performance piece in 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd and the pandemic, using story and song. From the development process to applying for grants to remounting the performance two years later, this presentation will highlight how identity, honesty and deep relationships lead to a truly profound performance experience, as the artists used their own stories to address racism and injustice.

Ykatirina “Katia” Cardenas (she/her/hers) is a performing artist hailing from the Pacific Northwest, and California’s Central Valley. A jazz and r&b vocalist, as well as an actor, dancer, director, teaching artist, and arts administrator, Katia came to the Twin Cities in 2006 to attend Macalester College. An active member of the local arts community, Katia is passionate about community building, art for social change and opportunities to inspire the next generation. Katia is Executive Director of Minnesota Jazz Education, a non-profit organization that provides access to quality jazz education to Minnesota youth. She has also worked with numerous local arts networks and organizations, including Pangea World Theater, Teatro del Pueblo, TigerLion Arts, Six-Points Theater, Volunteers of America, City of St. Paul and St. Paul Public Schools’ Community Education and Flipside afterschool programs. Katia also volunteers with Jazz Central Studios and serves on the Executive Board of the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network. To learn more, visit KatiaCardenas.com.