MARTíN RODRíGUEZ (co-founder, associate director)

Martín was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. He began dancing folklorico at age 9 at Academia de Danza Imagen, and through his adolescence took classes with various companies throughout Guadalajara. At an early age he traveled with Academia to rural indigenous areas in Michoacán, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Colima, and Jalisco to learn the traditional dances, culture, and history of the local people. He later moved to Los Angeles, where in 2006 he joined Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company under the direction of José Vences. At GMFBC he eventually became principal dancer, as well as instructor and choreographer. In 2016 Martín moved to NYC, where he now resides, and directs and choreographs for Ballet Nepantla.