Photo by Jenna Maslechko @jennamaslechko
Born in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, and raised in Los Angeles, California, Norbert De La Cruz III is an acclaimed dance artist celebrated for his versatility in performance and choreography. With a foundation in both classical and contemporary dance, Norbert’s work reflects a deep commitment to collaboration and innovation. He is currently a full-time Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Dance at Point Park University and maintains a bi-coastal freelance career based in New York City and Los Angeles.
After moving to New York in 2006, Norbert earned his BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School and later an MFA in Dance from Hollins University. His movement practice has garnered national attention, shaped by training at the Gabriella Foundation, LA County High School for the Arts, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, and The Juilliard School. Starting his classical training at the age of 11 under Vera Ninkovic and Marat Daukayev (Cecchetti and Vaganova techniques), Norbert cultivated a robust technical foundation that informs his artistry.
Performance Career
As a professional dancer, Norbert has performed as a soloist in the Metropolitan Opera’s Aida and toured internationally with Aszure Barton & Artists (Blue Soup and Busk) and Balletto Teatro di Torino in Italy. Additional credits include performances with Joe Goode Performance Group, Sydney Skybetter & Associates, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. His versatility has led him to perform works by renowned choreographers such as José Limón, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, and Jirí Kylián, among others. Notably, he represented Juilliard at the Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala at the Kodak Theatre and was featured in Warner Bros.’ film adaptation of In The Heights. As a pre-professional, he earned numerous accolades, including the Music Center's Spotlight Award and the Youth America Grand Prix 2nd place in non-classical.
Choreography and Recognition
Norbert’s choreographic career began under the mentorship of Tom Mossbrucker and Jean-Philippe Malaty at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where he received the Jerome Robbins Foundation’s NEW Essential Works Grant for his ballet Square None (2012). He has since been commissioned by companies including Ballet X, Richmond Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Hubbard Street 2. A recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA Choreography Fellowship (2012), Norbert has also been recognized by the Alvin Ailey New Directions Choreography Lab, Joffrey Academy of Dance’s Winning Works, and the National Choreographic Initiative. His work has been presented at prestigious venues such as the Winspear Opera House for TITAS Command Gala and through collaborations with the New York Choreographic Institute and Dance Lab New York.
Teaching and Mentorship
As an artist scholar, Norbert has created original works and taught at institutions such as The Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Boston Conservatory, Princeton University, University of Richmond, Ailey School Fordham University, Point Park University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Louisiana, Kent State University, Hollins University, Marymount Manhattan College, Barnard Columbia University, Cal State University of Long Beach, Hartford University, Grier Private School, Golden State Ballet, and Marymount Manhattan College. He is an active teaching faculty at Steps on Broadway and Peridance as well as a mentor for the 2023 and 2024 Jacobs Pillow Choreography Fellowship Program. Internationally, he has taught at the International Ballet School intensives in Gdynia, Poland and a current faculty member at The Trentino Music Festival in Italy. Previously, Norbert served on the faculty at The Juilliard School and as a guest choreographer for New Dances: Edition 2021. His teaching and creative practice focus on fostering inclusivity, rigor, and a deep appreciation for the craft of dance.
Artistic Vision
Norbert’s artistic work interrogates themes of representation, identity, queerness, and the complexities of the human experience. His choreography seeks to make the invisible visible, offering an authentic voice for his communities through dance. He continually seeks meaningful collaborations that celebrate artistry and humanity. Norbert is committed to exploring the intersections of tradition and innovation, aiming to leave a lasting impact on the dance field while representing his culture, identity and lived experiences.
After moving to New York in 2006, Norbert earned his BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School and later an MFA in Dance from Hollins University. His movement practice has garnered national attention, shaped by training at the Gabriella Foundation, LA County High School for the Arts, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, and The Juilliard School. Starting his classical training at the age of 11 under Vera Ninkovic and Marat Daukayev (Cecchetti and Vaganova techniques), Norbert cultivated a robust technical foundation that informs his artistry.
Performance Career
As a professional dancer, Norbert has performed as a soloist in the Metropolitan Opera’s Aida and toured internationally with Aszure Barton & Artists (Blue Soup and Busk) and Balletto Teatro di Torino in Italy. Additional credits include performances with Joe Goode Performance Group, Sydney Skybetter & Associates, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. His versatility has led him to perform works by renowned choreographers such as José Limón, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, and Jirí Kylián, among others. Notably, he represented Juilliard at the Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala at the Kodak Theatre and was featured in Warner Bros.’ film adaptation of In The Heights. As a pre-professional, he earned numerous accolades, including the Music Center's Spotlight Award and the Youth America Grand Prix 2nd place in non-classical.
Choreography and Recognition
Norbert’s choreographic career began under the mentorship of Tom Mossbrucker and Jean-Philippe Malaty at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where he received the Jerome Robbins Foundation’s NEW Essential Works Grant for his ballet Square None (2012). He has since been commissioned by companies including Ballet X, Richmond Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Hubbard Street 2. A recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA Choreography Fellowship (2012), Norbert has also been recognized by the Alvin Ailey New Directions Choreography Lab, Joffrey Academy of Dance’s Winning Works, and the National Choreographic Initiative. His work has been presented at prestigious venues such as the Winspear Opera House for TITAS Command Gala and through collaborations with the New York Choreographic Institute and Dance Lab New York.
Teaching and Mentorship
As an artist scholar, Norbert has created original works and taught at institutions such as The Juilliard School, SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Boston Conservatory, Princeton University, University of Richmond, Ailey School Fordham University, Point Park University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Louisiana, Kent State University, Hollins University, Marymount Manhattan College, Barnard Columbia University, Cal State University of Long Beach, Hartford University, Grier Private School, Golden State Ballet, and Marymount Manhattan College. He is an active teaching faculty at Steps on Broadway and Peridance as well as a mentor for the 2023 and 2024 Jacobs Pillow Choreography Fellowship Program. Internationally, he has taught at the International Ballet School intensives in Gdynia, Poland and a current faculty member at The Trentino Music Festival in Italy. Previously, Norbert served on the faculty at The Juilliard School and as a guest choreographer for New Dances: Edition 2021. His teaching and creative practice focus on fostering inclusivity, rigor, and a deep appreciation for the craft of dance.
Artistic Vision
Norbert’s artistic work interrogates themes of representation, identity, queerness, and the complexities of the human experience. His choreography seeks to make the invisible visible, offering an authentic voice for his communities through dance. He continually seeks meaningful collaborations that celebrate artistry and humanity. Norbert is committed to exploring the intersections of tradition and innovation, aiming to leave a lasting impact on the dance field while representing his culture, identity and lived experiences.