Javier Juarez's Page

Artist or company name

Javier Juarez

Please select Artist type. If you are an Artist in Schools or Teacher Artist additional information will be requested upon submission.

Artist

Contact email address.

javiersdance@att.net

Contact phone number.

985-646-2165

Contact physical address (street, city, state, ZIP)

850 Fremaux Avenue, Slidell, LA 70458

Artist or company website

http://www.javiersdancestudio.com

Please provide a brief (250 word) biographical sketch of the artist or a history of the company in question. For orchestras, please also include a biography of the conductor. This information will be viewable by the public.

Biographical Sketch
Javier Juarez


Javier began his career in Mexico as a young dancer and was dancing professionally by age 14. He toured across the world with The Secretaria de Tourismo (Mexican Government Ballet). The tour included private performances for government officials in India, Cuba and Japan. The Ballet made public performances throughout Mexico, The United States and Canada. Upon returning to Mexico, Javier joined the Ballet Folklorico of Mexico and soon became one of the principal dancers in the first company. He danced four years with the Ballet of Milton Ghio on the International television show "Siempre en Domingo." In this troupe he performed with many internationally acclaimed artists and also appeared on the television productions of Miss America and Miss Mexico. Upon moving to the United States, Javier opened his own dance studio in Slidell, Louisiana. He has been teaching and performing statewide for the past 23 years. Mr. Juarez is also the founder and the Artistic Director of the Cultural Society of International Performing Arts, Inc. (a non-profit organization) Javier is the creator of “Spicy Steps®” one of the most successful Latin Dance Exercise classes in the health club circuit. He was selected by Que Pasa New Orleans, Louisiana Spanish Magazine, as artist of the Year 1992 and was also the recipient of the New Orleans Big Easy Award for Best Ethnic Dance Production 1996 and Best Choreography New Work 1998. Javier was honored with a Louisiana Division of the Arts 1999 Artist Fellowship for performance in dance. He was selected as Performing Artist of the year 2005 in St. Tammany Parish. Javier has been on the Louisiana Artist Roster since 1991 and a Young Audience Arts in Education program Artist since 1994. He was the featured artist in St. Tammany Parish Public School 2nd Annual Cultural Connection 2009. Javier and his partner were featured flamenco dancers in Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” presented by the New Orleans Opera in April of 2009. He has been an advisory panelist for the Louisiana State Arts Council. As a panelist, he has had the responsibility and an opportunity to influence the cultural future of the state of Louisiana.

Please cut and paste quotes from reviews and other publicity. If none, please indicate.

Quotes


It has been five months, and people are still talking about the dance performance in the “West Edge”!

Luther Cox
West Edge Festival Shreveport

We congratulate Javier Juarez and his dance company for their well deserved win of a Big Easy Award and urge you to get out and see this fine dance company when they make appearances!

John Perkins
Slidell Sentry –News

“We appreciate having a person (Juarez’s) talent in our midst.”

Slidell Mayor Sam Caruso

“While folk dance may not be something that a lot of people are really familiar with at the performance level, Javier’s troupe can certainly go a long way towards making believers out of many of them. This was one of the most professional looking groups we have seen anywhere.”

John Perkins
Slidell Sentry News

“Dancer Performs with warriors Heart.”

Carol Wolfram
Times Picayune Tammany Bureau


“Excellent Dancing! Your Flamenco Dance was a great addition to the opera.”

David Morelock
Stage Director – Bizet’s Carmen – New Orleans Opera Association

Please summarize the activities for touring or school activities.

Javier’s Juarez
Across the Border Program Description


Javier Juarez, former principal dancer with the Ballet Folkorico de Mexico, will guide students on a tour “Across the Border” to Mexico. Students will discover the unique and exciting traditions of Mexico from the pre-European colonization down to our modern time. Javier takes the students on a journey through dance to several different regions in Mexico. The journey begins with a Native Indian dance called “The Aztecs”, and ends with a very popular rhythm today called “Salsa”. Active audience participation is encouraged when students are invited to learn a traditional Mexican Folklore Dance. This program is a culturally rich learning experience that will leave a lifelong impression on students. Across the Border can be adapted to audiences of all ages.



In Class Performance Related Activities

1. Discuss with students the seven movements of dance (bending, gliding, darting, stretching, jumping, turning and rising.) Did they observe any of these movements during the program? Perhaps they could draw specific movements as used in dance and a counterpart in everyday life. For example, jumping rope and jumping in dance. Could be illustrated side-by-side with a short descriptive narrative.

2. Students can create a simple dance of their own by making a pattern using 2 to 4 of the seven basic movements. For example, a small group of students working together could combine bending; stretching and turning into a pattern sequence and repeat this sequence several times. Other students could provide musical accompaniment on a drum and maracas. As each group performs their dance, classmates can record the pattern they use. Students can illustrate the dances or record the dance pattern. The ability to identify and record pattern is an important math and science skill.

3. Javier’s program shows that dance can be used to tell a story. Students can work in groups or 4 or 5 on this project. Each group selects a simple story, preferably one that the entire class is familiar with. The group must present the story to the rest of the class without using words. They will plan a simple dance to tell their story.

4. Being and audience member: The activities included are designed to help the students prepare, understand, enjoy, respond to, process and expand upon what they will see in a dance performance. By discussing appropriate audience behavior as a class ahead of time, the students will be much better equipped to handle their feelings and express their enthusiasm in appropriate ways during the performance.

5. Costumes Displayed and discussed; Many of the dances from Mexico have elaborate costuming and has musical accompaniment on a drum. The influence of the Aztec can still be seen in the language, crafts, and foods of today’s Mexico. Some Mexicans weave cloth or work at other arts and crafts using the Aztec style. Their work is a colorful reminder of a remarkable ancient culture.

Do you provide a Teacher's Guide?

No

Please provide the details of your technical rider. Indicate where you have flexibility.

Technical Requirements


Stage
Wooden Surface (preferable)
1-3 Dancers
Minimum 18’ x 18’

Ensemble
Minimum 25’ x 25’

We can not perform on carpet, concrete or ceramic tile. A portable stage can be supplied for an additional fee.

Sound
Microphone and Sound System

Dressing
Two Dressing Rooms (Male and Female) Ensemble Only

Required to give a dollar fee range. Please indicate your range with concise descriptions of activities at the upper and lower ends of the scale

Javier Juárez
2009-2010 Fee Range
Across the Border


Javier Juárez, former principal dancer with the Ballet Folkorico de Mexico, will guide students on a tour “Across the Border” to Mexico. Students will discover the unique and exciting traditions of Mexico from the pre-European colonization down to our modern time. Javier takes the students on a journey through dance to several different regions in Mexico. The journey begins with a Native Indian dance called “The Aztecs”, and ends with a very popular rhythm today called “Salsa”. Active audience participation is encouraged when students are invited to learn a traditional Mexican Folklore Dance. This program is a culturally rich learning experience that will leave a lifelong impression on students. Across the Border can be adapted to audiences of all ages.

Fee Range:
$270.00 - $500.00 - Two-person performance or expanded three-dancer version
$500.00 - $300.00 - Ensemble


Portable Stage Fee - $40 - $100

Contact
Melissa Juarez
850 Fremaux Avenue
Slidell, LA 70458
985-646-2165
985-710-3059