Jared was born and raised in San Diego, and began his ballet training with the San Diego Ballet School, under Robin Sherertz-Morgan and Igor Yurlov. While only recently beginning his professional career, he has attended various programs around the world for ballet. He has attended summer intensives at the San Francisco Ballet School, the Royal Ballet School in London, Ballet International Training in Tijuana, the School of American Ballet in New York, International Ballet Masterclasses in Prague, among others. He attended the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, where he graduated with a focus in dance under Annette Barcelona and Jessica Curiel. He is currently an undergraduate at the University of California at San Diego. He is on track to graduate within three years.
- What ignited your passion for dance?
My passion for dance came from my family, as they have always valued it as away to come together, and to connect between generations. Specifically for ballet, I have to thank my mother, as she persuaded me to take my first ballet class, and made sure that I followed through with practice.
- What inspired you to pursue a professional career in dance?
I was inspired by working with the San Diego Ballet as a student, and being afforded the opportunity to tour with the company while in high school. It thrust me headfirst into the world of professional ballet, and it opened the floodgates for wanting to pursue the career.
- What is your favorite thing about being a dancer?
My favorite thing about being a dancer has been the extremely varied personalities that I have been allowed to connect with through the artform. I would not have been able to meet so many diverse people without ballet as common ground, and I will always be grateful for it.
- What is your biggest dream for your dance career?
To dance on as many stages around the world. Ballet has already brought me to places I would not have gone otherwise, and I hope that it continues to do so for many more years.
- When you are not pirouetting and perfecting your pliés, what brings you joy?
I find joy in reading and writing, and have always been a fan of watching documentaries. I also love spending time with my dogs, and enjoying great food.
- What is the most transformative experience you’ve had as a dancer?
I would say that tearing my labrum transformed me, albeit without a positive impetus. It forced me to become more in tune with my body and strengthen the muscles that I had been ignoring. It also reminded me of the fragility of the human body, and the ephemerality of ballet as an artform and career.
- What is your favorite ballet?
My favorite ballet is Les Sylphides, or Chopiniana, as it feels like a perfect encapsulation of romantic ballets blanc. It is beautifully scored, beautifully choregraphed, and has a simplicity that belies its difficulty.
- 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 with SDB has been Peasant Pas de Deux in Javier Velasco’s Giselle. It was a challenge that gave me a goal to work toward, and it felt so satisfying to perform it on stage. I would love to dance in Frederick Ashton’s Les Patineurs.
- What is your favorite local spot in San Diego?
My favorite spot in San Diego has to be Tecolote Canyon, as it has such great hikes and secluded areas that I love to escape to.