Coco Alvarez-Mena
Company Artist with the Joffrey since 2022
Biography
Originally from Miami, Florida, Coco Alvarez-Mena is a first-generation Cuban-American. She began her training at Dance Town Dance Studios under the direction of Maria Eugenia Lorenzo and Manny and Lory Castro. She then attended The Harid Conservatory and was awarded the Cerrone Award for excellence in dance performance upon graduation in 2015.
Alvarez-Mena went on to attend USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance on a quarter tuition scholarship and is honored to be part of the inaugural graduating class. At USC, Alvarez-Mena trained and collaborated choreographically with William Forsythe and Jodie Gates while being mentored by Balanchine répétiteur Zippora Karz. She also performed alongside professional companies at USC and Laguna Dance Festival. After graduating in 2019 she joined Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) as a corps de ballet dancer. She spent three seasons with the company. Some of her favorite works from her time at OBT include In the Middle Somewhat Elevated and The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude by William Forsythe, In Dreams by Trey McIntyre, and Dreamland by Dani Rowe. Coco has also been hired to dance for television, commercials, and company guestings including The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Barak Ballet.
In 2022, Coco completed her Master's degree in Sport Coaching from West Virginia University. She is passionate about sport psychology and mental health for dancers. Alvarez-Mena has admired The Joffrey Ballet since she was a young girl and is excited for her second season as a Company Artist.