What's up? I'm AJ, founder and director of Barrio Dance. Barrio has been my lifelong dream. Growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I was surrounded by diverse and high-quality training for dancers of all ages in studios. I am ambitious to combine this idea with the concept of 'barrio,' or neighborhood, like the ones I grew up in, where every neighbor had each others' backs and there was such a strong sense of community and support.

 

I began dance training in latin ballroom, but quickly discovered a love for lyrical jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, and modern contemporary styles. I studied dance at the Julio Bocca School of Musical Theatre and immediately began performing in productions of “Applause” and “Aladdin” in Argentina’s Broadway. I was member of Chet Walker’s Fosse company, a featured dancer on Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruises, and I have danced and choreographed for Argentina’s “Dancing with the Stars,” “Singing for a Dream,” and “Dreaming to Dance.” In the states, I've choreographed commercials, choreographed for Carnival in Los Angeles, and connected with some of the best dance leaders in the Midwest.

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Currently you can catch me choreographing throughout the Madison area, teaching in the UW-Madison dance department, and of course spending as much time as possible at Barrio with my community!

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Fun Fact: I built a custom sneaker closet in my home to show off my shoe collection!