STEVEN JAMES RODRIGUEZ VELEZ

Steven James Velez was born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. He started his first practice of movement while studying Karate, Judo, Kung Fu, and Khatas. After becoming a black belt in Khatas at the age of 13, Steven discovered his passion for movement and transitioned to dance shortly after. Steven moved to San Juan in 2004 where he was accepted to the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras to study dance and theater. Steven discovered his passion for contemporary dance while working under Petra Bravo, a Professor at the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras and the founder of the company HINCAPIE. He joined HINCAPIE and was given the opportunity to dance in the festival, Fiestas Coreograficas, in pieces by Petra Bravo, Norberto Collazo, Viveca Vazquez, as well as his own work. Steven has been with Black Box Dance Theatre for going on 8 seasons.