Everything is a work in progress.
Five years in New York City have shaped my evolving understanding of movement. Every time I step into a space, I am captivated by the identity of the human within the movement. In my choreography, I allow myself to explore my deepest feelings and desires, often rooted in my culture, identity, and personal experiences. Though I’m physically distant from Puerto Rico—the tropical island that raised me—the longing for home remains ever-present. Puerto Rico’s complex history as a commonwealth deeply influences my art, which is a blend of memory and reality, where the past informs the future.
Puerto Rican rhythms—Bomba, Plena, Salsa, Bachata, Reggaetón, Merengue, and Bolero—are foundational to my work. These rhythms converge with the contemporary forms I’ve encountered in New York, including ballet, jazz, contemporary dance, street jazz, heels, house, and vogue. These styles are not just techniques I’ve learned; they represent pieces of my cultural and personal identity. In conversations with friends, we coined the term Tropi Contemp—a fusion of tropical and contemporary styles that walk the fine line between honoring tradition and pushing it forward. Tropi Contemp is about blending influences, designing small worlds within each piece, and viewing life through the lens of movement and musicality.
As a professional dancer, I’ve learned that storytelling through movement is at the heart of my work. I constantly ask myself, What are we saying? Movement, for me, is not just technical; it’s about truth. I recall when someone described my performance as visceral—honest and vulnerable. That moment reinforced my belief that movement should be an emotional exchange, an invitation for the audience to feel deeply.
As a leader in the studio, I aim to create a space where every artist feels seen and heard. Having been shaped by past experiences in which the creative process felt stifling, I strive to foster an environment where artists can freely explore, experiment, and immerse themselves in the work. I encourage bold ideas and allow for moments of spontaneity, ensuring the process remains alive and dynamic. This open dialogue between choreographer and dancer ensures that each artist brings their best self to the work.
This is how I see and hear the world. My work is deeply informed by my memories of Puerto Rico and my present life in New York City. I seek to merge these two worlds into a single narrative, one that reflects the experience of a Puerto Rican artist navigating the complexities of city life.
