RICARDO J. GARCIA of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico began his training at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, where he earned a BA in Dance. Upon graduating, he joined the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), under the direction of founder Jeraldine Blunden and subsequently Kevin Ward. At DCDC, he had the honor to work with acclaimed choreographers Bill T. Jones, Doug Verone, Donald McKayle, Ronald K. Brown and Dwight Rhoden, among others. Additionally, he was the recipient of the Josie Award for Outstanding Male Dancer of the Year in 2002. Garcia has also performed with The Joffrey Ballet, Illinois Ballet, Peoria Ballet, Salt Creek Ballet, Rhythm in Shoes, Walt Disney World and most recently with Luna Negra Dance Theater. He has conducted classes throughout the US, Europe and Russia, and his choreography have been performed by Luna Negra Dance Theater, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, South Dayton Dance Theater, Stivers School for the Arts, After School Matters and Piel Morena Contemporary Dance. Garcia holds a Masters of Science in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy from Bay Path University and a 200-hour Yoga Certification from Core Power Yoga. He has been the Administrator of Career Transition For Dancers/Midwest, the Managing Director for Lucky Plush Productions, the Co-Artistic Director of the Blue Lake International Ensemble, on the faculty of The Chicago High School for the Arts, the Manager at the American Rhythm Center, a guest dance faculty at Northern Illinois University, and is currently the Senior Pantry Programs Manager at Beyond Hunger.