Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Colafrancesco.
Hi Jonathan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Jonathan Colafrancesco started dancing at the age of 10. He began training in ballet and modern jazz in one of the major private dance schools in his hometown of Sora, Italy. He approached commercial dance at the age of 14 and contemporary dance at the age of 16, after he met the internationally renowned choreographers Enzo Celli and Elisabetta Minutoli. Jonathan would start his career by performing in dance companies founded by the two, Vivo Ballet and Piccolo Balletto Sorano, to the side of the hairstylist job. At the age of 24, he was awarded a full scholarship to the certificate program at Vivo Center in Rome. Once he graduated, he worked for some of the most renowned names in the Italian dance scene like Roberta Ferrara, Francesco Asselta, and Dario Lupinacci. Jonathan auditioned to be a student in the Perdicance Center Certificate Program in New York. The Founder/Director, Igal Perry, awarded him with a full scholarship. Jonathan moved to New York in 2019. Jonathan graduated with a Certificate of Excellence with Honors at Peridance Center and then received a full-time contract with New Jersey-based company Nimbus Dance Works. He is now working as a freelance dancer/choreographer in the New York City area. Jonathan has recently performed in works by renowned choreographers such as Rena Butler, Norbert De La Cruz III, and Yoshito Sakuraba as a company member of Pony Box Dance Theatre.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Dancing professionally has always been Jonathan’s dream, but he never believed that it could become true until he was awarded his first scholarship. Without those, he would not have been able to pay the tuition and complete his dance training to become a professional in the field.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a contemporary dance artist and when I perform it’s very important for me to highlight the communicative aspect of storytelling. Even in the most abstract piece of choreography, I like to set a scenario in my mind that helps me elevate the performance quality. Recently. I’ve been commissioned as a guest choreographer for two dance collectives in New York City. My goal for the future is to become a choreographer, and I’m proud I have made the first steps towards this goal.
How do you define success?
When a person is content with the way, they conduct their life. This is how I define success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_colafrancesco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joncolafrancesco
Image Credits
Andrea Gianfortuna
Noor Eemaan
Ed Cotton
Elyse Mertz
Kuoheng Huang
Nir Arieli
Robin Michals
Alice Chacon
Kuoheng Huang
