Francis Rivera Pacheco

I am Francis Rivera Pacheco from Ponce, Puerto Rico. I graduated with a B.A. in dance and a minor in psychology from Dean College in Massachusetts. My first steps in dance were at my 9 years old. I started dancing salsa in Salsa Sur. With 4 years as a salsa dancer, I was recognized with the Artistic Excellence Cup. At 14 years old, my dance career took other path. I began my training in ballet, jazz and modern dance in the Ponce School of Arts. There, I received the High Honor student award and I was the first male dancer from the Dance Department to receive the Artistic Excellence Award. At my 20 years old, I took classes and received a dance scholarship in the School for the Performing Arts in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico directed by Waldo González, one of the high caliber dance teachers of the Island.

I have been exposed to many performing experiences. From 2000 to 2005, I performed at the famous Puerto Rico Salsa Congress. When I was 16 and 18, I had the opportunity to dance at Disney Magic Music Days in Florida. I also danced in concerts of famous artists from Puerto Rico. In Ponce, my city, I have worked with many kids from José Celso Barbosa Elementary School. Many of them were not able to go to a dance school or take dance classes.

In 2013, I achieved a goal; I took classes in the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive in New York City. In college, on 2013 and 2015 I was part of Dean Dance Company. On December 2014, I performed Colony from Bill Evans at the American Dance Guild Festival at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York City. On February 2015, I was _José_on the production of _In the Heights_at Dean College. That same year, I also worked with Megan McQuarrie creating a duet: Hot-Blooded; a piece based on the human's desire, lust and intimacy.

Some of my dance teachers have been Julie Mayoral, Waldo González, María Carreras, Laura Young, Jill Silvermann, Todd Shanks and Yolanda Muñoz.

My goal as a dancer is to work in any company or production here in the United States or in any place in the world.