Faculty - The Joffrey Workshop

PRIMARY FACULTY

MAURO VILLANUEVA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / EDUCATOR

Mauro Villanueva (he/him) began his dance training with Shawn Knife and later studied at the University of Incarnate Word Ballet School and the Nutmeg Conservatory.

Mr. Villanueva joined the Joffrey Ballet and danced ballets by world renowned choreographers, was a union representative for the artists, and was one of two dancers chosen to participate in the search for a new artistic director.

Mauro has also worked for Barak Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, The Jacksonville Symphony and others. He has taught at the Colburn School, Edge Performing Arts Center, Regional Dance America, The New Orleans Ballet Association, The New Jersey Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, and The Ballet Alliance.

Mr. Villanueva is a 2022-2023 School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellow and is dedicated to creating inclusive dance spaces through his work as co-director of The Joffrey Workshop.

KENNY BORCHARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / EDUCATOR

Kenny Borchard (he/him) is an alumni of Idyllwild Arts Academy and the University of Arizona. Since graduating Kenny has worked on television and commercial projects with credits including a featured role on TruTV’s Fake Off, What Not to Wear, Toyota Pruis, Mobbed, and Lifetime’s Petals on the Wind. Kenny has worked with Odyssey Dance Theatre, Solevita Dance Company, Pacific Festival Ballet, and Pasadena Dance Theatre among others. Kenny was also cast member of “Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” at Disney’s California Adventure.

As an educator, Mr. Borchard has taught on the faculty of Broadway Dance Center's Children and Teen Program, and has taught as a guest educator/choreographer around the country. Since finishing his performing career, Kenny has committed to creating welcoming dance spaces where all students feel welcomed and honored for who they are and how they show up.