About the Choreographers

Beatriz Diáz García

Beatriz García Díaz was born in Havana, Cuba, and began her dance education at the National Ballet School and the University of Arts of Cuba. She started her professional career as a dancer with Danza Teatro Retazos Company, where she spent three years working with choreographers such as Isabel Bustos, Miguel Azcue, and Pepe Hevia. In 2014, Beatriz joined Malpaso Dance Company and worked on multiple pieces created by the artistic director and choreographer, Osnel Delgado. She also had the opportunity to collaborate with several other choreographers including Trey McIntyre, Aszure Barton, Sonya Tayeh, Robyn Mineko Williams, Florian Lochner, Alice Klock (Flock), Iratxe Ansa, Igor Bacovich (Metamorphosis), and Ohad Naharin. Additionally, she has performed works by Ronald K. Brown and Merce Cunningham. She performed as a guest artist with companies such as Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and Zest Collective. Apart from performing, Beatriz has also started to create her own choreographic works for Acosta Danza and Malpaso Dance Company. She was invited to participate in the II Meeting of Young Choreographers in Cali, Colombia. She participated in the XXVII International Ballet Festival of Miami by presenting an original work of her own creation. In addition to this, she also created a work for Santa Fe College and for Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami.

Xavier Nuñez

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Xavier Núñez  embarked on his dance journey at age ten at The Hartt Community Dance Division in Hartford, Connecticut, becoming the first dancer in his family. He continued his training at the International Ballet Academy in Cary, NC, under Miguel Campaneria in 2010.

In 2012, he earned the silver medal at the World Ballet Competition, propelling him to join the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company under the guidance of Kevin McKenzie and Franco De Vita. Here he performed in international galas in Italy and France, performing George Balanchine’s Tarantella and Alexei Ratmansky’s Le Carnaval Des Animaux. Xavier's path led him to The Tulsa Ballet in 2013, where he performed in productions including The Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Cinderella. In 2017, Xavier took part in the Concours de Opera National de Paris, earning him 6th place and a contract for the 2017-2018 season with the Paris Opera Ballet.

In 2018, Xavier proudly became a member of the Joffrey Ballet, a momentous step in his career. Since then, he has been privileged to grace the stage in lead roles, performing in acclaimed productions such as Yuri Possokhov's Anna Karenina, John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid, and more.

Beyond his onstage achievements, Xavier Núñez's entrepreneurial drive led him to co-found Action Lines with talented peers Dylan Gutierrez and Eric Grant. He creatively directs and choreographs, aiming to fuse dance, education, and entertainment for a fresh perspective on the industry, enhancing its connection to our community. 

Bryan Arias

Bryan Arias is a highly acclaimed and visionary choreographer known for his evocative and emotionally charged works. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, Arias discovered his love for dance at a young age, drawn to the expressive and transformative nature of movement. He began his formal training in various dance techniques, including classical ballet and contemporary dance, which provided a strong foundation for his future artistic endeavors.

Throughout his career, Arias has had the privilege of working with esteemed dance companies and artists, both as a dancer and a choreographer. His experiences with renowned companies such as Netherlands Dans Theater and Crystal Pite’s Kidd Pivot exposed him to a wide range of styles and approaches to dance, further enriching his artistic perspective.

Arias' choreographic journey has been characterized by a profound exploration of human emotion and the human condition. His works delve into themes of personal identity, vulnerability, resilience, and the intricate dynamics of human relationships. With a keen eye for detail and an instinctive understanding of the power of movement, Arias crafts mesmerizing choreographies that captivate audiences and elicit profound emotional responses.

His choreographic style is characterized by fluidity, organic partnering, and a seamless integration of dance and theatrical elements. Arias has an exceptional ability to blend technical precision with raw emotion, creating a visceral and immersive experience for both performers and spectators.

His talent and unique artistic vision have garnered widespread recognition and numerous accolades. Arias has been commissioned to create original works for prestigious dance companies around the world, including Netherlands Dance Theater, Ballet Theater Basel, Zurich Ballet, Leipzig Ballet, The Paul Taylor Company and The Bolshoi Ballet. His choreographies have been showcased on renowned stages and festivals, captivating audiences in Europe, North America, and beyond.

Beyond his choreographic pursuits, Bryan Arias is also deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of dancers and choreographers. He has taught masterclasses and workshops internationally, sharing his knowledge and passion for dance with aspiring artists.

As a choreographer, Bryan Arias continues to push the boundaries of dance, creating transformative and emotionally charged works that resonate with audiences on a profound level. His dedication to his craft and his ability to tell compelling stories through movement have established him as a true luminary in the world of contemporary dance.

Stephanie Martinez

Over eleven years of award-winning works, Chicago-based choreographer Stephanie Martinez moves her audiences along a journey guided by the physicality of her movement and honest storytelling. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement through her passion for marrying dance and theater as a means to construct intricate visual experiences. Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country. In 2010, Martinez assisted Broadway legend Ann Reinking in setting the Fosse Trilogy, and in 2015 was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color. More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere Bliss! at Joffrey Ballet. Designated “a chameleon” of choreography by the Chicago Tribune, Martinez’s psychologically revelatory works challenge the viewer’s notion of what’s possible.