Cesar Salinas

As part of THD’s Friday Forum Guest Dance Artists program, Cesar Salinas will provide a jazz / modern master class on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 10:00am. Salinas is a UB Theatre and Dance alumnus with a BFA in dance. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he is Artistic Programs Manager for Giordano Dance Chicago. Salinas began his formal studies in dance with Zohar School of Dance, under the direction of Ehud Krauss in Palo Alto, CA. There he was introduced to the classic jazz styles of Gus Giordano, Luigi, and Matt Mattox.  He moved to Oregon where he studied at Willamette Ballet Academy under Deborah Higginbotham. After graduation from UB he received a scholarship to Giordano Dance School in Chicago, IL, in 2004 and 2005. From 2006 until 2011, Cesar joined the Giordano Dance Chicago as a full company member performing throughout the United States and Europe. During his tenure, he was proud to be a part of GDC's educational outreach program, teaching science and health dance classes to 4th and 5th grade students in under-resourced public schools in Chicago. Cesar was honored to be on the cover of Dance Magazine (August 2007) and to teach at the Jazz Dance World Congress in 2007, 2009, and 2012.  In 2013, he was chosen as a soloist for BalaSole Dance Company performing Hunted in New York City’s Alvin Ailey Citigroup where he received rave reviews: “richly physical performance that drew the audience’s unfettered enthusiasm” – Philip Gordon. Cesar toured the world with Royal Caribbean cruise lines as a performer in the Broadway production of Saturday Night Fever as well as an aerialist. In the January 2018 issue of Dance Teacher Magazine, Cesar demonstrates the Giordano Technique alongside Nan Giordano in honor of the company’s 55th Anniversary as Artistic Director for GDC.