Joaquin de Luz grew up in Madrid, studied ballet at the Victor Ullate School of Ballet and danced in Ullate’s professional ballet troupe while still in his teens.
In 1996, de Luz left Spain for the United States and spent a year as a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet. He joined American Ballet Theatre a year later and then joined the New York City Ballet as a soloist in 2003. De Luz was elevated to the rank of principal dancer in 2005.
He has been a local favorite since 2003 when he starred as the Cavalier in Ballet Hawaii’s big-scale, live-music production of “The Nutcracker” and is one of the troupe’s most popular guest stars.
De Luz, 41, returns as the Cavalier, dancing the climactic Grand Pas de Deux with Megan Fairchild as his Sugar Plum Fairy, when Ballet Hawaii’s 2017 production of “The Nutcracker” opens Friday for three shows at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
JOHN BERGER: What inspired you to become a ballet dancer?
JOAQUIN DE LUZ: When I was about 13, I watched a video — it was VHS back then — of Mikhail Baryshnikov dancing “Don Quixote.” I told myself, “That’s what I want to do.”
JB: Who is the most memorable person you’ve worked with?
JDL: I have had the privilege of working with some of the most influential icons of the dance world. There are too many to name them all, but here are three: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Stanley Williams as a teacher and Walter Bobby as an actor.
JB: What do you enjoy most about ballet?
JDL: The freedom I feel when I’m onstage, and the balance between that freedom and the challenges both mental and physical that I encounter and overcome every single day.
JB: What do you like to do for relaxation?
JDL: There are lots of things I like doing away from the dance studio. I love playing tennis, anything related to being in the ocean, and painting. The most relaxing ones are yoga, weight training and meditation. A few beers with friends or watching a movie also does the trick.
JB: How difficult is dancing the Cavalier?
JDL: I wouldn’t say it is the most physically demanding role. However, it does require an intensity throughout and, of course, great partner skills to make your ballerina look beautiful.
JB: What would you like to be doing five years from now?
JDL: I would like to be at my homeland, directing a company and guiding the new generation of dancers. I would love to give back what this amazing career has given me.
