why you'll love...

Mike Esperanza

Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Southern California, Mike Esperanza has established himself as a sought after teacher and choreographer. With a BFA in graphic design from California State University, Fullerton, Mike's approach to visual construction has influenced a unique movement orchestration on stage described as "captivating visuals of impeccable lines and shapes" Jessica Abejar, Broadway World. His works have been commissioned by prestigious college and university dance programs including Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, UNLV, Cal State Long Beach, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Utah Valley University, Shenandoah University and Grand Valley State University to name a few. In 2005, Mike was awarded the "Dance: Creation for Performance" grant presented by Dance/USA and the Irvine Foundation. With this distinguished award, BARE Dance Company began. Mike has also been a finalist at the Palm Desert Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 taking second place in 2009 and winning the paid engagement award in 2010. In 2011 BARE was part of the "Innerstate" roster presented by ODC Theater and funded by the Irvine Foundation. The program allowed the company to tour California and present the Lester Horton nominated show "Manhatttan". In 2014, Mike received the Steps Repertory Ensemble Commission award at the Reverb Dance Festival and became the recipient of the CUNY Dance Initiative grant creating a new for work, VENOMOUS, for LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. Mike Currently teaches at Peridance, Steps on Broadway and serves as a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center and EDGE Performing Arts.

What you need to know about me...

I play trumpet for 16 years and marched Blue Devils drum and bugle corps, I work as a graphic designer, Love my dogs Louis Vuitton and Presley, I love drawing.
 

FACULTY