Momentum 2022

Luis Montero, a native of Granada, Spain first became interested in dance at age eleven. He worked as a boy and financed his own early ballet training. At the early age of fifteen, he became a professional dancer. He has studied Spanish Classical, Folkloric, and Flamenco dancing with many of Spain’s great masters.

Montero moved to Paris, at eighteen—shortly afterward joining the touring José Greco Company. Montero has performed throughout the world as a Principal Dancer, dancing with and among esteemed dancers such as José Greco, Mariemma, and Maria Rosa.

Now a U.S. citizen, Montero has received many grants and awards for his work in the Spanish style, including Northern Illinois University, Mercyhurst University, and Interlochen Arts Academy.  Through his unique and vast career, he has performed with major ballet and opera companies in the United States, Canada, Russia, Italy, France, Denmark, China, and Japan.  

Montero danced Spanish dances—particularly sequenced in “La Traviata”—for various companies, including the New York City Opera, where he was resident Spanish dance soloist for ten years.

He originally choreographed Bolero for Ballet Concerto in 1990 and has gone on to stage Bolero for companies throughout the United States, Japan, and Denmark. 

Among but not limited to his highly acclaimed choreographic works includes: El amor brujo, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The House of Bernarda Alba, Othello, Medea, Ravel’s Bolero, Rodrigo’s Concierto Andaluz, and his balletic version of the opera Carmen.

His career is built upon a myriad of versatility touring with companies such as José Molina’s ensemble. Choreographing and performing in modern and postmodern dance, musical comedy, grand opera, and classical ballet. Montero has even brought his dance to the Broadway stage as well as extending his dance to television performances. 

In the 90s, Montero was at the cutting edge of the flamenco revival—he helped not only preserve the tradition but also carried its influence into both the classical ballet and modern dance world.

Consider yourself lucky if you catch one of his master classes, seminars, or workshops in Spanish dance.  Even on his winter breaks in Mexico, you are likely to catch him choreographing a local dance. His love of dance is highlighted and illuminated in all aspects of his life and cannot go unnoticed.