Denisse Cárdenas Landeros was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, México. She grew up in México City where she began her dance and artistic studies at an early age. In 2003 she moved to Cholula, Puebla to study dance and in 2008 graduated from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla. Her dance background has been defined by ballet (Cuban style), the Humphrey-Limón technique and philosophy, Release technique, Body Mind Centering and Improvisation. She has performed with several groups and companies based in México City and Puebla such as CODACO, Cava-Parker Dance, Sunny Savoy Dance Company, Colectivo 2Z, Malva Danza, Dharma Danza, among others.

Denisse has been awarded with several grants: from FONCA, CONACULTA, the American Dance Festival, the Limón Institute in NYC, the Centro de Investigación y Estudio de Técnicas y Lenguajes Corporales in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Los Talleres in México City.

Constantly questioning the concept of identity, the relationship between individuals and their interaction within a specific context to construct and renew their traditions; the boundaries between art and life; and dance improvisation as a process that constantly redefines the self, she has created two site specific projects: Museo de Experiencias: Yo, el otro y la redefinición, presented in 2007 in an abandoned house with a diverse group of non dancers, and Ofrenda en Movimiento, that year after year since 2008 celebrates the mexican tradition of Day of the Dead in the botanical garden of San Andrés, Cholula.

Recently she created Colectivo Mano de Tierra arte+ambiente with her colleague Lourdes Roth, a dance association that promotes dance education out of the formal educational systems; and an environmental, sustainable and interdisciplinary approach to dance.

Denisse has collaborated with Zap McConnell since 2008 and feels deeply thankful and honored to be part of The Unearthing and to keep strengthening her relationship with Charlottesville’s community.