Roberto Villanueva presents the World Premiere of his solo program “Pieces of Me: An Inside Look at a Dance Artist’s Journey,” an evening of six dances choreographed and performed by Roberto, along with personal, insightful commentaries about being a dancer in New York – one performance only – Sunday April 1, 7:30 PM, at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55 Street.

Acclaimed for his technical virtuosity and compelling personality, and a former dancer with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, Buffalo City Ballet, and others, Roberto has integrated into “Pieces of Me: An Inside Look at a Dance Artist’s Journey,” a glimpse of his life as a dance artist in New York City, his perspective on the challenges and imbalances in the field of concert dance, and his inspiration for the each solo on the program. The Philippine native will treat audiences to a unique experience as they witness him prepare for the show, change from one piece to another, and interact with the viewers through his commentaries. Never one to hold back, Roberto’s show is distinguished for its intelligence and honesty, and designed to reveal both his artistic strengths as well as his personal vulnerabilities.

Roberto Villanueva is currently founder/artistic director of BalaSole which he founded in 2009 because, as he noted, “I decided it was time to create an all-inclusive, multi-ethnic and multi-genre organization that would open its doors to underrepresented dance artists of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds.” As an artist of short stature, Roberto encountered difficulties throughout his auditioning years, and made a commitment toshowcase and mentor talented dancers and choreographers who are “diverse in ethnicity, size, age and style.” Performers from the Limon Dance Company, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Parsons Dance, and Lucinda Childs Dance, among dozens of others, have been presented on BalaSole showcases.

More About Roberto Villanueva:
Roberto, born in the Philippines, received his dance training from SUNY/Purchase and the University of Buffalo. Roberto has danced with numerous companies, working with choreographers Eleo Pomare, Kevin Wynn, Dwight Rhoden, Milton Myers and others. He has performed, guest taught, held residencies, and judged competitions in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has been commissioned to create works for dance companies, colleges and universities. He has guest taught at the schools of Ballet Philippines and Airdance, respectively the premiere ballet and contemporary dance companies in his native Philippines. His works have been presented at many popular venues , and he has mentored and/or worked with artists from major companies,
including Elisa Monte Dance, Ailey American Dance Theater, the Joffrey Ballet, Philadanco, Donald Byrd/The Group, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Twyla Tharp Dance, and even the Rockettes. Support for “Pieces of Me: An Inside Look at a Dance Artist’s Journey” has been provided through the Harlem Stage Fund for New Work, which has received support from the Jerome Foundation. Previous recipients of this award include Donald Byrd, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Nathan Trice, and Earl Mosley. The concert will also serve as a fundraising event for BalaSole Dance Company.
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