Pedro Ruiz
Pedro Ruiz is a renowned choreographer and dancer who was born and trained in Cuba, as well as in Venezuela. In a 21-year career with Ballet Hispanico as its principal dancer, Ruiz also choreographed three critically acclaimed ballets for the company. Ruiz has now set out on his own choreographing for other dance companies. In 2005, he created Sonetos de Amor for Chicago’s Luna Negra Dance Theater. In 2006, Ruiz premiered a new work, Mediterranea, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, as well as a collaborative piece for The Joffrey Ballet and Luna Negra called San Juan, which was performed at City Center in New York. In 2007, he premiered Pasajes de Amor at Tribeca Performing Arts Center and in June 2007, The Joffrey commissioned Ruiz to expand San Juan into a full ballet entitled Allegro con Sabor.
Ruiz has performed at the White House for several presidents and, in 1998, he received the New York dance world’s highest honor, the Bessie Award. Most recently, Ruiz was honored for his illustrious dance career by the Cuban Artist’s Fund and was awarded a major grant by The Joyce Foundation.