Luis Torres-Ortiz

Luis R. Torres (Studio Company and Trainee Ballet Master) from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in his 13th season with The Washington Ballet joins The Washington Ballet’s artistic team as the Studio Company and Trainee Ballet Master. Prior to joining TWB, Torres was a soloist with Ballet Theatre of Maryland (1995-1997) in Annapolis, Maryland, and performed soloist and principal roles with Ballet Arizona from 1997-2003. Many dancing roles have been created for him by a number of world renowned choreographers such as Moses Pendleton, Ib Anderson, Dwight Rhoden, Edward Liang and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Torres began his training in Puerto Rico under the direction of Elizabeth Calero before accepting a Roberto Clemente scholarship transfer to Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he had the opportunity to train under the tutelage of Roberto Munoz. During his time at Point Park University, he received the outstanding sophomore of the year award adding to his scholarship aid.

A few of his featured roles during his tenure at TWB include Snow King, Drosselmeyer and Anacostian Man (Arabian) in The Nutcracker, Tom Buchanan in the world premiere of Septime Webre’s The Great Gatsby, Lord Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the King of Hearts and Cheshire Cat in the world premiere of ALICE (in wonderland).

Torres received a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) concentration in dance and psychology from Arizona State University (ASU) in 2003 and completed his Master in Fine Arts from George Mason University (GMU) June 2014. Currently, Torres is also an adjunct professor at George Mason University and a guest teacher and choreographer in many locations in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC areas.

Degrees

• MFA, Dance, George Mason University