www.negociosnow.com
24 February 2017
Principal Dancer, Ensemble Español
Spanish Dance Theater
Julia Hinojosa, of Mexican-
Puerto Rican descent, is a Chi-
cago native dedicated to arts,
education and cultural pro-
grams in the city. She earned
her bachelor's degree from Nor-
theastern Illinois University in
English with a minor in dance
and went on to get a master's de-
gree in arts management from
Columbia College.
Hinojosa has been hea-
ding the Ensemble Español's
36,000-student outreach pro-
gram since 2004 while also per-
forming as a member of the
ensemble in the United States
and around the world, including
Poland, China and Spain. Her
training in Spanish dance began
at NEIU with Ensemble Español
founder Libby Komaiko, and she
has also studied in Madrid.
Hinojosa's dedication to
inspiring and empowering
young artists can be seen in
the growth of the Ensemble
Español's programs, including
the EE Spanish Dance Youth
Company (where she also
serves as associate artistic di-
rector), After School Matters
Spanish dance program and
Artist Residency programs via
the Illinois Arts Council Caerus
Foundation. Her fundraising
galas helped secure more than
$90,000 for the company's first
youth international exchange
program with Spain in 2012.
Now she is heading the 2018
Spain campaign.
Hinojosa also helps bring
in more than $50,000 per year
in grants to support these pro-
grams, she developed a Spanish
dance curriculum for students
ages 4-12 and she assists in the
training of the youth company
dancers, senior division ages
14-23. Hinojosa also founded
and heads up the Our Chance
to Dance Youth Festival, which
serves five youth organizations
throughout the city.
Julia Hinojosa, 36
The
Spanish
dancer
"I
n an ever-changing world
it's easy to get lost in the
madness; remember to live a life
you love filled with purpose and
don't be afraid to take risks."
