Rodney Rivera

Dance Barns Artistic Director

(505) 557-6045

Rodney began his ballet training in San Juan, Puerto Rico and continued at Pro Danza Ballet of Cuba, under the direction of Laura Alonso. He represented Puerto Rico in the Fifth International Ballet Competition at Jackson, Mississippi, as the first Puerto Rican male dancer to participate in this event. Leading roles in world premieres of ballets were created for Rodney by Fernando Bujones, Vladimir Issaev, Zachary Solov, Michael Uthoff, and others. Rodney has also taught for many years, with some of his students going on to dance with American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, Dance Theater of Harlem, Martha Graham Dance Company, and other companies. As a choreographer, his work has been presented at festivals such as the Miami International Ballet Festival, Festival de Ballet de la Habana Cuba, Aquin Festival, Latitudes Dance Fest NYC, and the World Ballet Competition, among others. Beginning in 2013, Rodney has served annually as Resident Choreographer, Guest Teacher, and part of the jury of the renowned World Ball. He has also been a resident choreographer at Island Moving Company and has choreographed for film and opera productions. The Institute of Culture of Puerto Rico recognized Rodney as choreographer of the year in 2010 for his enormous contribution to dance in Puerto Rico, and The Puerto Rico Department of State granted him the Proclamation of the Governor for his contribution to art, culture and dance. Rodney has been with NDI New Mexico since 2019.