Jonathan Mendez

Photo: Matthias Knapp.

Jonathan Mendez began his ballet training at the Colombian Institute for Classical Ballet (Incolballet) in Cali, Colombia. He later became a member of Colombia’s premier ballet company, Compañía Colombiana de Ballet, where he developed the artistry and technical foundation that launched his international career.

In 2007, Mendez received a full scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City under the direction of Franco De Vita, where he completed three years of advanced professional training. His career has since included performances with Dances Patrelle, Avi Scher & Dancers at the Kennedy Center, Alberta Ballet as a Guest Artist, ARC Dance in Seattle under the direction of Marie Chong, and The Staten Island Ballet under the direction of Ellen Tharp, while building a distinguished career as both a performer and educator.

Mendez joined Les Ballets Eloelle–Grandiva in 2010 under the direction of Victor Trevino touring extensively throughout Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and North America. In 2015, he was promoted to Principal Dancer and awarded the honorary title of Prima Ballerina Assoluta – Supernova. He is currently the only Colombian dancer performing with an all-male comedy ballet company on the
international stage.

A certified American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum teacher since 2010, Jonathan has more than a decade of teaching experience throughout the New York tri-state area. He currently serves as a lead Ballet Instructor at The School at Peridance Center in New York City. He is also the Artistic Director of Jonathan Mendez Dance Academy, an initiative dedicated to expanding access to high-quality classical ballet training for underserved communities in Queens, New York.

In 2023, Mendez received the Fini Dance Extraordinary Dancer Award at the Italian International Dance Award. His artistic journey is also featured in the acclaimed dance documentary First Position.