ANDREA GUAJARDO (FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR)

Andrea Guajardo is a Mexican American South Texas native, who began her training in ballet and folklorico at Dancentre of Edinburg. At age 17 she moved to New York City when she accepted a scholarship to study at The Ailey School, and in 2013 she graduated from The Ailey School and Fordham University with a BFA in dance. Upon graduating, Andrea joined MOMIX under the direction of Moses Pendleton, where she toured and performed until 2017. Andrea has performed with Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater and worked as a teaching artist for Dance Theater of Harlem and Ballet Hispanico. In January of 2017, Andrea founded Ballet Nepantla and currently holds the roles of dancer, choreographer, and artistic director for the company. In March 2020, Andrea was awarded a Lotos Foundation Prize in the Arts and Sciences for her choreography. Andrea has done choreography residencies at East Carolina University (2020) and Princeton University (2023).