Mauro Villanueva

I grew up in San Antonio and trained at the University of Incarnate Word. Upon completing my dance education I was asked to join the world renowned Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. During my thirteen years at the Joffrey Ballet I danced works by influential choreographers, was elected as a union representative by my fellow artists, negotiated multiple collective bargaining agreements, and was one of two dancers chosen to participate in the search for a new artistic director. In addition to touring the country, I also lived and dance in Los Angeles and New York City. Currently I direct The Joffrey Workshop, a dance program that brings exceptional dance training to students around the country. I also enjoy choreographing and directing ballet and contemporary ballet productions. My work ranges from short competition dances to full length productions of The Nutcracker – which included the oversight of a symphony, set designs, costumes, lighting, a children’s choir, and nearly 200 student dancers. Lastly, I co-founded a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm called Cultivating Better Tomorrows.