“He consistently offers his students new and creative ways to engage with the material being presented, and to deepen not only their physical understanding, but their emotional and intellectual understanding as well.”
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching practice is grounded in somatic awareness, alignment-based technique, and the understanding that musicality is not merely expressive—it is a structural force that builds technical proficiency. Rooted in sound anatomical principles, my classes emphasize movement and flow as pathways toward clarity, strength, and personal agency. I work to train students to become their own instructors, developing the perceptual skills needed to recognize both their innate abilities and their habitual limitations.
“Cisco embodies passion, dedication, and determination while never losing sight of the power and joy of dance or the wonder of potential. His classroom holds a place in my mind as a container of creation, evaluation, and growth. His humanity shines through his pedagogy, and his ability to inspire others is worth experiencing by any aspiring artist or movement practitioner. ”
“Cisco brings unmatched warmth and kindness to his teaching. His classes are not only incredibly informative but also filled with joy, inclusivity, and challenges. He shares his deep knowledge with thoughtfulness and care, leaving everyone inspired and motivated for more. Cisco truly makes dance an experience to look forward to.”
I believe movement offers us a way to understand the world more deeply, allowing us to live with greater joy and with a more efficient relationship to our anxieties. Dancing for Paul Taylor for many years taught me that longevity in a dance career requires not only discipline but the consistent cultivation of efficient, sustainable technique. Technical rigor, when built on anatomical integrity, becomes a source of freedom rather than restriction.
Classes begin with simple, flowing alignment-based exercises that emphasize how bones articulate in relation to one another. These sequences often resemble yoga postures and are rooted in anatomical principles that prepare the body for greater freedom. My work as a licensed GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® instructor significantly informs this approach. These systems emphasize breath, spiraling pathways, joint decompression, and multi-planar articulation—tools that help students cultivate internal support, efficiency, and spaciousness. Somatic exploration such as Feldenkrais and The Franklin Method, allow dancers to experience both efficient and inefficient patterns, giving them concrete sensations to reference throughout class.
Following a short yoga-inspired floorwork series, we come to our feet. The spine is then vertically introduced to every plane of motion through methodical and imagistic progressions designed to awaken mobility and integration. From this foundation, class moves through a traditional ballet sequence—from pliés to grand battement in the center—before traveling across the floor. Each across-the-floor phrase is pedagogically crafted to challenge the principles laid down in the warm-up, reinforcing the connection between internal inquiry and expansive, athletic dancing. The final third of class weaves everything together into a musically driven, technically robust sequence that invites dancers to move fully through the space with clarity and expressive freedom.
My teaching is also shaped by my belief that technique is a pathway to longevity. Years of dancing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company showed me that disciplined, efficient practice is crucial for sustaining a professional career. Technical rigor, when rooted in alignment and somatic intelligence, becomes a gateway to freedom rather than restriction.
This class is designed for dancers, movers, and movement educators who are looking to develop a sound, anatomically informed practice and a deeper awareness of their own bodies. I recognize that each group of students arrives with different strengths, backgrounds, and needs. Because of this, pedagogy must remain malleable. An approach that resonates in one environment may not suit another. My role as an educator is to adapt thoughtfully—never diluting the depth of the work—so each student can access technique, artistry, and personal understanding in ways that are meaningful and sustainable for them.
“Cisco is an adept, intelligent, and amazing teacher. His classes also help you discover a new and engaging way to either think about or approach dance. And his combinations are some of the most fun I’ve ever had dancing. ”