Joseph A. Hernandez, a Chicago native, was first introduced to dance through his high school dance program. He continued his education at Western Michigan University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance. In addition to his degree, he also trained with the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Luna Negra Dance Theater, River North Dance Chicago, and Gus Giordano Dance School. While still in college, Joseph had the opportunities to perform with River North Dance Chicago as an apprentice, and Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers as a guest artist.
Upon graduation, Joseph joined ODC/Dance in San Francisco where he danced for two seasons, touring nationally and internationally. Additionally, he worked with Opera Parallèle and Concept o4 in San Francisco, and Kate Weare Company where he had the opportunity to perform in their tenth anniversary season at BAM. After moving to New York City in 2015, Joseph freelanced with DamageDance and Dušan Týnek Dance Theatre before joining The Metropolitan Opera Ballet. During his time off contract, Joseph continued his training with Alonzo King LINES Ballet and Springboard Danse Montréal. Since leaving New York City in 2017, Joseph has been contracted with LED Boise, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and presently as a Soloist Dancer with Lyric Opera of Chicago. Over the years, he has had the privilege of dancing works by Gerald Arpino, Lauren Edson, Alex Ketley, KT Nelson, David Parsons, Jerome Robbins, Amy Seiwert, Kate Weare, Johannes Wieland, and Robyn Mineko Williams among others.
As an educator, Joseph embraces teaching beginning to professional level dancers at intensives, company classes, and master classes nationwide. His contemporary class embodies a broad range of dance styles, drawing from release and Limon techniques, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary ballet. Joseph’s class flows with athletic, intelligent, and sensually lush movement, emphasizing individuality, technical exploration, mindful risk-taking, and the motivation to challenge one’s own limiting values. Joseph has taught at The Chicago High School for the Arts, Boise State University, Dovetail Studios, as well as company class for LED Boise, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and DanceWorks Chicago.
