How did you get into dancing?
I started when I was 10 with Latin American and ballroom dancing. I didn't want to dance at all. I wanted to be a sportsman, to swim, to play soccer. Dancing was my mother's encouragement, and my sister's. But I would be in the streets most of the time, and my mom said, "I have to get you out of the streets because there's nothing constructive to be doing there."
Even though you were reluctant, you've come so far with it now.
I fell in love with it. You have other guys and girls in the studio, and you see what they can do, and as time goes by, you say, "OK, I'm improving. I'm getting this." It's a drug.
Where does your drive come from?
When you come from a background where you don't have much, you don't have money to even get dance training, you appreciate things more. If there's someone trying to give a hand and help me, I take it with both hands. If I don't, I will end up where I was for the rest of my life.
How did your professional dance career take off?
I was 15. My Latin American and ballroom dance teacher was taking her kids to audition for Martin Schönberg (Ballet Theatre Afrikan). I said, "Ballet? Isn't that the thing where the girls stand on the points of their shoes? Cool, I'd like to see them do that." I wasn't auditioning, though. I was sitting outside, looking through a window. Schönberg said, "Why don't you bring that kid in and see what he's got?"
Was starting ballet a tough transition to make?
It was hard in the beginning. Ballet's intimidating. You're in the studio with someone who's been doing this for 10 years before you, and you go, "Oh my God, it's my first day, and I'm starting at 15." I just learned to trust and to stay focused and to make sure I practiced everything I was taught.
Tell me about what brought you to Washington.
I went to [the SAIBC]. I performed like there was no tomorrow. I had to do my best. After I won the contemporary competition, I was approached by Webre to come study with the ballet [in D.C.].
Was there any culture shock in coming to D.C.?
The surprises were the weather, the time differences, the architecture. It's not that different, though. I like the people here. They're very friendly. When I have free time, I hang out with the new friends I've made. We go to the Mall, the monuments, the waterfront. Just talk about dance and life.
What are you learning from your new friends?
A lot. You find people from different countries and you learn how they were trained and how they do what they do. We teach each other and show each other what we should be doing.
What are your strengths, and what are you working on?
I would say I jump a lot. I'm a high jumper. But I'm not the guy who turns a lot, like the people who can turn five pirouettes easy. That's something to work on. When I have a weakness, I better it every day.
With your background, did you think about dancing in terms of breaking barriers?
No, not at all. You don't think about those things until you find out other people really do think that way.
Do you hope to inspire others back home?
Yes. You can't forget where you come from. You have to show people that there are other possibilities out there.
Visit www.washingtonballet.org for a complete schedule of ballet performances this November and December.