INTERVIEWS
"We are so lucky that we get to work in an environment that is creative and new and challenging and pushing boundaries."
VANESSA VALECILLOS
"..there is no limitation, there is always more to keep exploring..."
Dancing beyond Ballet
Originally from Venezuela, Vanessa Valecillos began dancing professionally at the age of 15 when she joined the Ballet Nacional de Caracas. After touring throughout the Americas, she came to the United States to get her Bachelor’s degree from The North Carolina School of the Arts. After moving to Chicago, she danced with the Lyric Opera before joining Luna Negra Dance Theater as a founding member. After leaving Luna Negra, she joined Ballet Hispánico, where she performed until her retirement in 2014. Valecillos returned to Chicago and teaches ballet at Lou Conte Dance Studio and Northwestern University.
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December 02, 2016: At Northwestern University
"So it was just easy to feel at home...I can be me, I can speak Spanish instead of trying to fit in."
Luna Negra beginnings
"Carmen was a piece we had done before...a completely different cast
but I really admired the women
I was dancing with."