Profiles

RAÚL SALAMANCA, CEO AND DIRECTOR

An acclaimed artist and entrepreneur with over 25 years of professional experience in the world of dance. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he enjoyed a celebrated performing career with prestigious companies such as Boston Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, and Ballet Arizona. His time with these organizations allowed him to work with some of the industry’s most esteemed teachers, coaches, and choreographers, honing his expertise in classical, neoclassical, and contemporary ballet. In 2023, Mr. Salamanca expanded his artistic repertoire by choreographing a new production of The Nutcracker, earning widespread praise for his innovative storytelling and artistic vision. As a passionate advocate for the arts, Mr. Salamanca is a member of the International Dance Council (CID), an official partner of UNESCO, demonstrating his commitment to preserving and promoting dance on a global scale. His leadership extends beyond the stage, as he has guided countless artists as an A.G.M.A. union representative, successfully navigating complex labor contract negotiations. Before founding Golden State Ballet in 2021, Mr. Salamanca held several distinguished positions: Ballet Master and Director of Education at Ballet San Antonio, Répétiteur for Boston Ballet’s resident choreographer Jorma Elo, and Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer at Los Gatos Ballet in Silicon Valley. His entrepreneurial spirit also led to the creation of Golden State Ballet Academy alongside his wife, Cindy Huang in 2019. Under Mr. Salamanca’s direction, Golden State Ballet has become a cornerstone of the San Diego arts community, celebrated for its excellence and accessibility. Through his visionary leadership, he continues to champion the transformative power of dance, inspiring the next generation of artists and captivating audiences with world-class performances.

HOUSTON THOMAS, GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER

GEORGE BALANCHINE, CHOREOGRAPHER

EVE LAWSON, STAGER

NATASHA RADER, GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER

Rader grew up in Coos Bay, Oregon, where she trained under her mother, Christine Rader along with Angela Steidl. She continued on to train at Marin Dance Theatre with Lynn Cox and Margaret Swarthout for two years before training at Orlando Ballet School, and then moving on to Alberta Ballet School in their Post Graduate Program. Next, she was in the Studio Training Company at Texas Ballet Theater. There she was able to perform in many of Ben Stevenson's ballets including as a Snowflake in The Nutcracker, a soloist in Glazunov Variations, various roles in Alice in Wonderland as well as working with Mr. Stevenson directly to originate a role in his new ballet: Requiem.

Most recently, Rader joined Golden State Ballet as an apprentice in the 23/24 season. She's been able to perform in Raul Salamanca's The Nutcracker and Cinderella, Norbert de la Cruz III's Semblance, and Gabrielle Lamb's Hemidemisemiquaver. She was also able to choreograph for their inaugural production of Crafted in March 2025. Rader also holds a comprehensive Pilates Certification and is teaching Pilates and freelancing around Southern California.