User:Anthonyjrodriguez

Anthony J Rodriguez

Anthony Rodriguez was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, and his journey as an artist began while he was very young. At the age of 12, Anthony began to discover his talents as a singer, composer, and choreographer, and he eagerly performed at weddings, sweet sixteen parties, churches, and anywhere else he could find an audience. In short time and through the formality of arts education, the refined artist he would become began to take shape. Anthony first studied under Lorenzo Maldonado, the founder for the Performing Arts Center at the Bronx-based Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, whose influence and styling has remained a part of Anthony’s artistic flame to this day. He also danced at Mahattan’s Ballet Hispanico, was the first ever recipient of the Tito Puente Scholarship, and attended Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music and Performing Arts, where he trained in the disciplines of flamenco, ballet, and modern dance, both as a performer and as a choreographer.

Upon graduating from LaGuardia, Anthony began to realize his true calling, which was to be more than simply a dancer, but to be a force for true creation and innovation in dance and music. He provided choreography for the “Summer Jam” concert series hosted by acclaimed New York City radio station Hot 97, as well as for performers such as Marc Anthony, “Little” Louie Vega, Cyndi Lauper, merengue singer Cuco Vuloy, and many more (including the Off-Broadway play “Quien Mato A Hector Lavoe”). Anthony has created staging for major New York City night clubs, including Webster Hall, Palladium, Sound Factory, Limelight/Avalon, and Joe’s Pub, to name just a few. As a performer, Anthony has danced for such acts and artists as Ricky Martin, Prince, and Jennifer Lopez, and he has worked under the personal tutelage of acclaimed director/choreographer Luca Tommassini. Also, in the fulfillment of a personal dream, Anthony traveled on an extended worldwide tour with Madonna, where he was the featured soloist for “La Isla Bonita” as seen in a televised concert on HBO.

Anthony has in more recent days begun to venture into the role of a vocal artist, singer, and songwriter. After writing secretly for many years, unsure if he was ready to sing for an audience, he began to hit the New York nightlife with performances of his original music. This quickly led to deals with the European label MultiPlay Music and more recently with the indie label MisWax Records. His single “Boricua Lover” was released in conjunction with MisWax, and its Latin/Pop/Dance stylings, flavored with flamenco rhythms and an unmistakably Nuyorican sound, has found success in the city’s club scene.

But for of all of his success, it is in La Santa Luz Dance Company that Anthony takes the most pride. He founded the company in 1989 with the goal of creating a Latin version of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey Company. Through LSL, he hoped to inspire those in all walks of life to dance through a Latino’s vision and interpretation of movement. Over the years, LSL has performed at Lincoln Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and several area colleges and universities, as well as internationally. Anthony is still artistic director of LSL, which boasts alumni in roles on Broadway and as dancers on tour for Madonna and Jennifer Lopez.

All of his work to date will culminate this September, as Anthony Rodriguez launches his “Something To Say” tour, which will fully incorporate Anthony’s artistic craftsmanship in the realms of dance, composition, and vocal performance. Starting in New York City (where it all began and continues to happen for Anthony), “Something To Say” will gradually find its way to major performance markets across the United States, and through its usage of original music and choreography, video and multimedia presentation, and an ensemble of La Santa Luz trained dancers, the tour promises to unfold just one more chapter in the continuing evolution of an emotional and captivating artist, Anthony Rodriguez.