Jacqueline Lutz was born in San Diego and began her ballet training in RAD at three years old with the Chula Vista Dance Academy under the direction of Paz Soriano before joining the San Diego Ballet school under Robin Sheretz-Morgan at eight years old. She later returned to the Chula Vista Dance Academy at fourteen and back with the San Diego Ballet School to finish her final years as a student.
The many styles she has learned throughout her training include ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and modern. Throughout her time as a student. Jacqueline has performed in various ballets as corps de ballet and soloist roles which include The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Beauty and The Beast, Swan Lake, The Wizard of Oz, Paquita, Giselle. She has attended summer intensives with Paz Soriano, San Diego Ballet, ABT and Encuentro 540.
She joined the San Diego Ballet company as a trainee in 2022 and has been able to perform in The Jungle Book, The Nutcracker, Viva Vivaldi and Eight to the Barre.
- What ignited your passion for dance?
Performing on stage in front of an audience for the first time as a child is what really ignited my passion for dance.
- What inspired you to pursue a professional career in dance?
My passion for the art form, the music and the challenge of striving to push myself further everyday is what inspired me to pursue ballet professionally as a career.
- What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
My favorite thing about being a dancer is not only getting to create art with my body but being surrounded by others who are so talented and getting to share that space with them.
- What is your biggest dream for your dance career?
I would say my biggest dream for my dance career is to one day be at the level where I’m able to dance principal roles.
- When you’re not pirouetting and perfecting your pliés, what brings you joy?
Things that bring me joy outside of ballet are simple pleasures such as getting coffee with my friends, going to the beach and driving my car around. I also like to pick up a lot of hobbies that usually end up in many random unfinished projects.
- What is the most transformative experience you’ve had as a dancer?
The most transformative experience I’ve had as a dancer so far would have to be when I got my trainee contract. During my senior year of high school when everyone was asking what are you going to do for the rest of your life I felt lost. I had already accepted the fact that I would go to a four year university, dorm and work a “normal” job. Once it became real that my going to work everyday would look like going into the ballet studio everyday it became evident that this is what I would choose over anything else. It also changed the way I viewed myself, my goals and my priorities both as a person and a dancer.
- What is your favorite ballet?
My favorite ballet is Swan Lake.
- What is your favorite role you have performed at San Diego Ballet and what is a role you would like to perform in the future?
My favorite role so far has been in Javier Velasco’s Opus Swing and a dream role I would like to perform in the future would be Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. The balcony pas de deux and the final pas de deux are my absolute favorites.
- What is your favorite local spot in San Diego?
My favorite local spot in San Diego is La Jolla Cove.