Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Marena Pérez began her formal ballet training at the prestigious Ballet de Nana Hudo. She launched her professional career with Ballet Teatro Municipal of San Juan before progressing to Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, where she was promoted to soloist in 2002, and then joining the Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico as a principal dancer in 2005.

She is celebrated for her rich classical repertoire, having danced lead roles in iconic ballets such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Don Quixote, and La Bayadère. Her artistry extends into neoclassical and contemporary works, including pieces by Balanchine, Robbins, Limón, Weber, Doller, Mendez, and others.

In addition to her performing career, Marena is an inspiring educator and choreographer. She serves on faculty for national summer intensives—including York, PA and Shreveport, LA—and is known for bringing her passion for mathematics into her teaching, using dance to bring abstract concepts to life for her students. We are thrilled to have her as a guest teacher and coach here at Dance It Forward.