Juan M. Aldape, originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, is an interdisciplinary ethno-hybrid-identity-crossing-tech-loving-inauthentic dance artist. His work fuses cultural curiosity and personal reflection with a passionately moving aesthetic. He attempts to peel away the viewer’s protective layers and expose society’s wants, phobias and obsessions. He is fascinated and puzzled with issues related to mate choice, ethnic assortment, migration, power structures, and family values. To Juan, art and technology are a means by which to present and evaluate theories and assumptions about human behavior and existence; they are a way to provoke and inspire.

Juan received a BA in Anthropology and a BFA in Modern Dance from University of Utah. In 2010 he was accepted to present research at the National Dance Education Organization (Movement Horizon:

Gesture-Based Technology Will Drive New Teaching Methods)

. He also co-produced The Grey Area. 2009 brought with it first place at the AAA Show, after having been a finalist in 2007. In 2008, he was named one of the University of Utah’s Artsbridge Scholars and presented work at Proving Ground. He presents work and teaches locally and nationally. He has had the honor of working with Dance Koester Dance for the past three years, be a collaborating member of Movement Forum for five years and dancing for John Jasperse(American Dance Festival), Eloy Barragan(New York International Dance Festival), Ernesto Pujol, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, Olga Pona (ADF International Choreographers Commissioning Program), Tandy Beal, Ronald K. Brown, Eric Handman, Danell Hathaway, and Satu Hummasti, among other great mentors who shaped his perspective about art and life. He is thankful everyday for Melissa, his extremely supportive and loving wife. When he is not dancing he is working for TACC, enjoying web and media development.