Meet the Team!

Eloy Barragan

Founder and Director of the ISDF

Eloy Barragán is from Mexicó City. His contemporary ballet choreography has been presented at the Bolshoi Theatre, Finnish National Opera House, Conservatoire de Paris – Cité de la Musique, Alvin Ailey Studios Citigroup Theater, Alex Theater, Irvine Barclay Theater, Hancher Auditorium, Hudson Guild Theatre, DiCapo Opera Theater, New York City Center, and two entire evenings of his work were presented at El Teatro Nacional de la Republica de Panamá. He has created original works for American Dance Repertory Company, Utah Ballet, Ballet Real de Costa Rica, Dance Theater of Oregon, Ballet Theater of Spokane, and American Festival Ballet. He received a choreographer’s fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Boise Arts Council to create new work for the Eugene Ballet Company and Ballet Idaho. He was awarded the 2000 Lifetime Career Fellowship by the Idaho Commission of the Arts.

As a student, Eloy trained at the Escuela Nacional de Danza in Mexicó, Royal Academy of Dance in London, Boston Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in New York. His professional career began with Joffrey II and the Washington Ballet before he became a soloist for Compañía Nacional de Danza in Mexicó City. His career led him to Europe where he was a soloist for the Ballet Royal de Wallonie, Mainz Stattheater, and Dortmundt Stattheater. He then returned to Mexico to perform as a soloist for Ballet de Monterey and Compañía Nacional de Danza. Upon returning to the United States, he danced for Rebecca Kelly Dance Co. and New York Theater Ballet before he finally became a principal dancer, regisseur, and Ballet Master from 1996-2002 for Eugene Ballet and Ballet Idaho. His repertoire work as a solo and principal dancer includes choreography by Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Agnes de Mille, Lynn-Taylor Corbett, Toni Pimble, Charles Bennett, Anne Marie De Angelo, Youry Vamos, Jorge Lefebre, and Vicente Nevrada.

Eloy has served as a teacher for many prestigious institutions including Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music, National Conservatory Superior de Paris, University of California, Irvine, Compania Nacional de Danza, the Jose Limon Dance Company, and American Collegiate Dance Festivals.

In April 2006, five solos he choreographed competed in New York City for the finals of the Youth America Grand Prix. In June 2006, Barragán was invited to present En Tí, En Mí (In You, In Me) for the 50th Anniversary Gala of the American Dance Guild with dancers from the Richmond Ballet. In July 2006, he was invited to present the world premiere of Retratos (Portraits) a collaborative, interdisciplinary, multicultural project with author, James McPherson, and painter, Steven Erickson, at the 5th International Dance Festival in New York City.

Tatum Lang

Co-Director of the ISDF

Originally from Waconia, Minnesota, Tatum grew up training at Waconia Dance Arts. Throughout middle and high school, she attended reputable summer intensive programs including the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, the School of Ballet Arizona, and The Kansas City Ballet School.  Realizing her love for all areas of the arts, Tatum graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021 with a BFA in Dance and a Certificate in Performing Arts Entrepreneurship. 

Tatum now resides in Chicago. She has danced for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (performed works by Katlin Bourgeouis, Monique Haley, and Shannon Alvis), Bodies of Water (founded by Esther Farley), and Dance Divas (C5) among other various freelance performances. She is now contracted with The Rooted Space Company (performing in works by Noelle Kayser and Stefany Cotton). Tatum teaches dance at multiple studios in the Chicagoland area, serves as Administrative Assistant for holistic health coach for dancers, Jess Spinner (The Whole Dancer), and is co-owner of Beyond the Mirror Artistic Pursuit. Tatum began working for the Iowa Dance Festival in 2020 as the Manager of Social Media and Communications.  This year, she is serving as Co-Direcrtor for the Festival. The ISDF holds a special place in her heart and she is so excited to continue working alongside Eloy on growing the festival.

Emily Trapnell

Communications and Social Media Manager

Emily graduated with her BFA in Dance at University of Iowa, earning both Honors and Distinction, and became a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa society. After graduating, Emily became a trainee with Visceral Dance Chicago where she trained and performed with the company. Currently, she is a company member with Inaside Chicago Dance, playing “Fairy Doll” in the “Fairy Doll Ballet” with Arts Ballet Conservatory, and assisting Hanna Brictson. Most recently, she has performed as a soloist at the Ailey Theater for the American Dance Guild, and internationally in Trinidad and Tobago with COCO Dance Festival. Emily has previously performed with Minneapolis Ballet Dancers, Curio Dance Company, and Metro Dance Center. Other highlights include performing in the world premiere of the opera “Karkinos”, Iowa Dance Festival, Hancher Illuminated, and holding a soloist role in the touring UI Dance Company season in 2021. She has also enjoyed performing virtually with Mark. Morris Dance Group, LA Contemporary Dance Company, and Mark DeGarmo Dance in the midst of Covid. Emily has received training with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Orsolina ‘28, Mark Morris Dance Group, Oklahoma City Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Emerge 125 (formerly Elisa Monte Dance), LA Contemporary Dance Company, and Jacob Jonas The Company.

As a choreographer, Emily debuted her own choreography at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, Englert Theatre's Marquee Lighting Ceremony, Mark DeGarmo's “Dance for their Futures”, Minnesota’s Boom Dance Festival, Iowa Dance Festival, and University of Iowa’s BFA Showcase. Emily is the Social Media/Communications/Website Manager for Iowa Dance Festival and InterDance.

The Curatorial Team

  • Marie Wilkes

  • Kevin Kelley

  • Miriam Martinec

  • Michael Judge

  • Nora Garda

The Board Members

  • Sarah Barragan

  • Shannon Dolan

  • Nora Garda

  • Jerry Weiss