Get ready for a spectacular celebration of movement as the inaugural Guam International Dance Festival (GIDF) prepares to take center stage from December 5-7, 2025. The GIDF is a three-day event that promises to be a vibrant showcase of global and local dance forms, beginning with an extraordinary opportunity for the public to learn from some of the industry’s most respected dancers and choreographers through a series of free workshops on Friday, December 5th, including a Meet & Greet Workshop with popular upcoming South Korean dance group NPher.
GIDF aims to foster cultural exchange, artistic collaboration, and community engagement through the universal language of dance. The workshops, conducted by a powerhouse lineup of masters, offer participants a unique, hands-on experience across diverse genres.
Featured Master Dancers and Workshops:
*Space is limited; early registration is highly encouraged.
| MASTER DANCER | Background | Workshop |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Rabon CHamoru Dance | Frank Rabon has dedicated over 40 years to re-creating and re-establishing the indigenous Chamorro culture of songs, dances and chanting. Rabon has been bestowed the honor of “Master of Chamorro Dance” as well as given the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Guam Council of the Arts and Humanities (CAHA) in recognition of his accomplishments in the cultural dance practices of Guam. He, with his performance groups, has been to many countries to share the beauty of the island’s culture in an ever-changing world. He helped to establish Pa’a Taotao Tano in 1998 as a way to further the mission of cultural preservation, perpetuation, promotion, and education of the Chamorro culture. (Courtesy of Guampedia.com) | Friday, December 5 10:00am-12:00pm Sinajana Fine Arts Ctr |
| Brian Esperon Hip-Hop/Urban Dance @besperon | Guam-native dancer/choreographer Brian boasts over 1 million YouTube subscribers and 3 million TikTok followers. He created the viral “WAP” dance trend (100M+ views), reposted by stars including Disney, Nicki Minaj, JLo, and Ariana Grande. Brian has collaborated with artists like Pia Mia, Steve Aoki, and TWICE. A Loyola Marymount University dance graduate and content creator, he currently lives in Los Angeles, teaching master classes nationwide. | Friday, December 5 12:00pm-1:00pm Sinajana Fine Arts Ctr |
| Ahtoy Juliana Salsa/Latin Dance @ahtoyjuliana | Internationally recognized CHamoru and Cuban performer, choreographer, educator, and adjudicator, began her dance career in Guam. A world champion in Latin partner dance, she co-founded The Youth Summit Championship and is a founding judge of the World Salsa Summit. Her work blends contemporary, narrative choreography with emotional storytelling to preserve Afro-Latinx dance heritage. Ahtoy’s credits include film and theater, such as In the Heights. In 2005, she founded BAILA Society, a dance company dedicated to reimagining Afro-Latinx dance for community connection. Holding a PhD from Columbia University, she teaches at Peridance, The Ailey Extension, and Scripps College, connecting scholarship and performance through archival work on the Latinx, Black, and queer roots of Latin Hustle. | Friday, December 5 4:30pm-5:30pm Micronesia Mall (Center Court) |
| NPher K-Pop/Urban Dance @npher_official @npherofficial (YouTube) | NPher was created in September 2023 by NPic, a YouTube performance video label that mainly focuses on K-pop dance covers, and has since become a K-pop dance phenomenon, releasing performances of various dance genres. Since April 2024, NPher has been invited to festivals and events across the country as a performance team. In November, it appeared in a policy promotion video as an official model for South Korea’s Ministry of Unification. This year, NPher has begun to expand globally with projects to include a Michelin performance in China and promotional videos for Guam, rising as an international sensation. Members: Yedarm (@y.darmy) Betty (@foreveryoxxg) Yeyoung (@ye._.young) Lini (@tothexexxlin) Roa (@lapinluna_x) Jiahn | Friday, December 5 5:00pm-5:45pm Micronesia Mall (former Game Stop) |
In addition to the workshops, the festival schedule includes a special evening showcase at the Micronesia Mall’s Center Court on Friday, December 5th from 6:00-8:00pm. Special performances by a Japan dance group led by Asami Nohira, the Malaysia dance group Suluh Tingkah Kesuma Tari, SKIP Entertainment Company, and a special jazz performance by Japan actor, musician, and influencer Shinji Takeda.
“Music and dance is integral to the cultural fabric of Guam, and we are thrilled to host an event that not only celebrates our heritage but also brings world-class talent to our shores,” said GVB President & CEO Régine Biscoe Lee. “The free workshops are a core component of our mission—making high-level dance education accessible to everyone, from aspiring professionals to inspired enthusiasts.”
The workshops are free of charge and open to all ages and skill levels, providing an unprecedented chance for the community to engage directly with these inspiring artists. Space is limited, and early registration is highly encouraged.
