Steven Rodriquez Velez

  • Contemporary Ballet Teacher
Mr. Velez was born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto where he started his first practice of movement studying karate, judo, kung fu and specializing in khata in which he received a black belt at the age of thirteen.  Through that training he discovered that movement was his passion. In San Juan he began to study dance and theater at the University of Puerto Rico Piedras.  It was there that he discovered his love of contemporary dance, while working under Professor Petra Bravo, founder of Hincapie.  He was invited into the company in which gave him the opportunity to dance in the famous dance festival, Fiestas Coreograficas, which allows for students to develop into choreographers and present their upcoming works.  He performed pieces by Petra Bravo, Norberto Collazo, Viveca Vasquez, as well as, his own work.  In 2006, he choreographed his first dance ,“ Sin sentido un suspiro” and a year later, “ Vagabundo”.  In 2009 he created, “ Desmembrada”, which is based on the brutal, true story that resulted in the horrific death of a friend. Mr. Velez contributes his experience at Hincapie for creating the opportunity for him to develop as a choreographer and dancer and as well as work with great Puerto Rican choreographers not only in Puerto Rico, but all over South America. He was invited to join the company Andanza where he danced the repertory of many choreographers from around the world including those from Puerto Rico, Spain, Brazil and Canada.  In addition to being a member of the Andanza Dance Company he also taught on the faculty of the ANDANZA School and several schools in Puerto Rico.  Upon moving to the United States Mr. Velez has developed a success as a contemporary teacher in the Raleigh area as well as a performer with the Black Irish Dance Company.  In 2015 Mr. Velez began teaching at Infinity Ballet, who is pleased to have this talented and creative artist as part of the faculty.