Felipe Moises Zapiola was born in Salta Capital, Argentina. He started dancing when he was 11 years old at the Numen Foundation, under the direction of Andrea Montero. Mr. Zapiola has performed in numerous ballet competitions, receiving special mentions, gold, silver and bronze medals as well as the revelation dancer and outstanding dancer awards where he received several scholarships to participate in different summer intensives.
Felipe had the opportunity to participate in the Ballet of the Province of Salta, under the direction of Paula Arguelles, performing in The Nutcracker and Giselle, sharing the stage with Marianela Nuñez. In2018, he entered his 5th year at the Instituto Superior de Artes del Teatro Colon, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Whilst studying there, he had the opportunity to perform with The Teatro Colon Company, under the direction of international Ballerina, Paloma Herrera, performing in Le Corsaire, Coppelia as well as worked with internationally acclaimed choreographers and composers including Julio Bocca. During these productions, he performed alongside several great dancers, such as Maria Kochetkova, Daniil Simkin & Herman Cornejo.
In 2019, he received a full scholarship to the Miami City Ballet School joining the pre-professional program where Felipe performed principal and soloist roles, in Who Cares, Western Symphony choreographed by George Balanchine and 2 & 3 Part inventions by Jerome Robbins. During his time at Miami City Ballet School, Felipe was invited to perform with Miami City Ballet in Firebird, Swan Lake, Jewels and Prodigal Son and danced repertory by some of the industry’s most famed choreographers such as George Balanchine, Alexei Ratmansky & Jerome Robbins.
Felipe has been recognized by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) as an artist of extraordinary ability.
“I feel inspired when I dance, it feels like a special and unique sensation, especially when dancing on stage! Dance is my passion and my way to communicate and it brings me consistent joy and happiness. I feel free when I dance, complete freedom and this continues to intrigue me as I travel through my life and artistic journey.”
Place of Birth: Salta City, Argentina
One Word to Describe Why I Dance: "Freedom"
Favorite Color: Light blue
Favorite Role Danced: Franz, Coppelia
Dream Role: Romeo, Romeo and Juliet
Favorite Choreographer: George Balanchine
Favorite Traditional Ballet: Giselle
Favorite Cuisine / Dish: Escacha
Favorite Hobby: I really like different ways of designing. I love designing clothes and architecture, but what I would love to do would be interior design.
Fun Fact About Me: I love spending time with my family; I am a real family guy.
What Would You Like the Audience/Community to Gain from Your Performances: I would like the audience to interpret my artistic interpretations freely. I hope they are taking into their soul my movement vocabulary, and as long as they feel something from this dialogue that my body as my instrument is telling, I feel accomplished! Dance is a real sense of community, and I wish to bring my community up in every positive way. I hope they will always enjoy my performance as much as I enjoy performing them when I am on stage.
