Mauro Villanueva (he/him) began his dance training with Shawn Knife and continued his studies at the University of the Incarnate Word Ballet School and The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory. His extensive career includes a 13-year tenure with The Joffrey Ballet, where he performed in numerous ballets by world-renowned choreographers. Villanueva's work extended beyond the stage - he served as a union representative for the dancers and was one of two artists selected to participate in the search for a new artistic director.

Mauro's versatility as a performer led him to work with companies such as Barak Ballet (now Los Angeles Ballet), Ballet San Antonio, Intermezzo Dance Company, and The Jacksonville Symphony among others.

His passion for teaching has led him to complete the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teacher Training and the School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellow program. Mauro has taught at institutions like the Colburn School, Edge Performing Arts Center, North Carolina School of the Arts, The New Jersey Ballet, and Regional Dance America, as well as Ballet San Antonio, The Ballet Alliance, The New Orleans Ballet Association, and The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory.

An advocate for preserving and advancing the art of concert dance, Villanueva is a répétiteur and board member of The Gerald Arpino Foundation, and is co-director of The Joffrey Workshop.