Click here to apply for Teri’s Dream Fund.
The establishment of this fund is deeply personal to us.
Our sibling Teri was always unique. They grew up in a time when sexuality and gender identity, among other things, had clear delineations. It was expected that everyone would follow the rules that society had set out for us. From a young age, Teri rarely ever followed the rules, and so would often suffer the consequences. However, Teri epitomized authenticity. They lived life their own way and with their own rules.
After a short period without much focus, Teri soon found a purpose and passion in dance. They honed their talent and skills with the dance community of San Diego, serving as a student first, then instructor and choreographer, and eventually a seasoned leader and mentor to many youth interested in dance, some struggling with identity or lacking confidence. Because they suffered from those same issues that can plague our young artists today, Teri would give them the love and understanding they needed to express themselves through dance.
And yet behind the scenes, our sibling developed a substance abuse issue that, for years, went largely unnoticed by the family. On January 2022, Teri died from a drug overdose. Our family will forever have questions that will remain unanswered.
But life goes on. I will not lie; it has been a struggle sometimes to feel joy. Our family feels it when we remember the good had done, when we remember Teri’s bravery and brash celebration of their identity, when we see dance, when we ourselves dance, and when we hear or read stories about them from the dance community. And so we want to nurture that love in our very small way.
This fund was established in 2023 to honor the memory of Teri Joaquin, a vibrant, talented, and loving dancer, instructor, and choreographer who expressed their passion and individuality through dance. We, the family, wanted to remember and celebrate their life and work by giving an annual gift to talented and passionate dancers who are BIPOC / LGBTQ+ and residents of San Diego County.