Sara Rodriguez

Sara Rodriguez is a professional dance artist based in New York City. Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, Sara first started dancing in the competition circuit and eventually began her classical ballet training under the guidance of Jennifer and Thomas Hanner. She spent summers studying at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, and the Ballet West Academy/University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Beginning her undergraduate education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Sara transferred and went on to receive her BFA magna cum laude from the University of Utah. There, she was a member of Utah Ballet and danced featured roles such as Russian Demi Soloist in George Balanchine's Serenade, Small Swans in Swan Lake, and several other roles in contemporary and jazz works by choreographers such as Tamara Squires, Jay Kim, Dr. Jung-Sik Roh, and her peers. Upon moving to New York, Sara delved into contemporary and jazz styles: She has workshopped with LeeSaar The Company, exploring the Gaga movement language, in addition to working with Bryce Dance Company, Stormy Budwig, Derek Mitchell, and Janice Rosario and Company. She has also modeled for various dance and portrait photographers. Sara has most recently begun creating video work, her first significant work being "I Can't Breathe" directed by Jeshua De Horta (Methods to Madness) in conjunction with the #MeToo social media campaign highlighting the aftermath for victims sexual assault. She continues to immerse herself in the commercial dance scene as she takes on more projects. Additionally, Sara teaches and choreographs for dancers of various levels and styles. She is currently on faculty at multiple studios in the tri-state area in addition to teaching and judging nation-wide on the competition/convention circuit. Above all, Sara prioritizes musicality and the human-quality of dancing—that is, making audiences feel something, whatever that something may be. She values the process in everything she does, bringing depth and curiosity to the forefront of her explorations, and she looks forward to reaching more audiences as she grows in her art.