Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, Alvaro Montelongo was enthralled by the dance performances and international galas he watched on YouTube. From an early age, he knew he wanted to be part of the world of dance and perform for audiences. Dance was his natural element, something he would soon discover.
“‘A fish is the last one to know it is in water.’ That is how I relate to dance. It wasn’t a choice I made, but the medium I existed in. Even before I saw a ballet, my parents noticed I moved with that specific quality,” Montelongo explains.
Montelongo is now a dance artist and creative leader dedicated to his stage career, intent on performing alongside the most talented dancers on earth.
Defying Cultural Expectations
One of the pivotal moments of Montelongo’s life is when one of his elementary school teachers played Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video during the students’ art class that occurred once a week and asked them to make up their own unique movements.
“In that hour, I felt a power and inspiration I had never accessed before,” Montelongo says.
Enchanted by the videos he found online, Montelongo knew he wanted to one day reach that level of professionalism, and to do so, he would have to find the best training possible to acquire the skills he needed to succeed. Unfortunately, there are cultural stigmas in Mexico surrounding ballet, so his parents were hesitant to put him in ballet dance classes.
The family relocated to France, and after a year of living in a culture with a different perspective on art and life, his parents allowed him to start his dance training.
The Pursuit of Excellence
Montelongo was always intent on being his absolute best from the very start of his training, but it wasn’t without challenges. In Mexico, he still faced criticism for pursuing dance.
“Starting ballet as a young boy in a traditional environment, I hid my passion to avoid bullying. However, as my dedication grew, the narrative shifted. When my peers saw me missing school for international competitions, the teasing was replaced by respect. I learned early that excellence silences criticism,” Montelongo says.
Montelongo also faced a difficult choice at a young age: whether to focus entirely on his dance training or continue his studies at his traditional high school. He chose dance and moved to Córdoba, Veracruz, in Mexico. His dedication and hard work would lead to a scholarship at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School in Florida and bring him to the United States. Montelongo describes the ballet schools as the “springboard” to his international career.
A Four-Continent Performance Career
Montelongo’s dream of dancing at the highest level of the dance world has become a reality as he has professionally performed across North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. His international career has included being a cast member in Disney’s The Lion King in Madrid, a three-year tenure in San Francisco with the world-renowned Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and featured performances at the Lincoln Center in New York City, The Music Center in Los Angeles, and the Jacob’s Pillow Opening Gala.
“I bring an intense drive to the work, but also a pleasant, collaborative spirit that opens doors,” Montelongo says.
During the pandemic, he created microconcerts to give financial relief to musicians. Montelongo has also led a global professional development initiative and participated in a one-week leadership program at the London Business School.
Beyond his dance performances, he is committed to connecting artists with networks to “create experiences of beauty and truth” and building “ecosystems where art and artists can thrive.”