JOAN AYAP was born in Washington, DC and raised in Manila, Philippines. She began her training at the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet and the Philippine Ballet Theatre Conservatoire. She graduated from Assumption College San Lorenzo with BS in Interior Design, while pursuing a dance career. Her professional experience began with the Philippine Ballet Theatre, working with acclaimed teachers and choreographers: Gener Caringal, Ronilo Jaynario, Anatoli Panasiukov, Enrico Labayen, Tony Fabella, Maiqui Mañosa, and Graham Lustig, among others. In Washington, DC, she has performed with Bowen McCauley Dance, El Teatro de Danza Contemporanea and Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. Currently a CityDance faculty member and outreach teacher for BMD.

Header Photo © Niko Sommaripa