Today we’d like to introduce you to Luz Figueroa.
Hi Luz, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Havana, Cuba, and dance has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started dancing flamenco when I was four years old, so growing up, dance was really my first language. When I was 11, my family left Cuba and moved to the United States. That was a huge transition, and it took me some time to adapt to a new country and find my place again through dance. In high school, I joined drill team, which helped me reconnect with performing. That’s also when I realized dance could be more than just a passion and I could actually study it professionally. I went on to earn my BFA in Dance from the University of Houston in 2020. Since graduating, I’ve been working full-time as a professional dancer, teacher, producer, and choreographer. I’ve had the opportunity to produce several shows here in Houston, and recently I started my own dance company focused on heels and showgirl-style performances within the entertainment industry. Right now, my biggest goal is to continue building community, especially growing the heels dance scene in Houston, while also establishing myself as a choreographer and producer. No matter where my career takes me, it’s always important to me to represent my Cuban culture and my roots with pride because that’s such a big part of who I am as both an artist and a person.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving from Cuba to the U.S meant starting over in a lot of ways, including finding my place in dance again. But honestly, one of the biggest challenges has been choosing dance as a career. Society doesn’t see the arts as a “real” career, so I’ve had to work hard to prove to others and sometimes even to myself that this path is worth pursuing. Because people see dance as something that’s “just for fun,” performers are often undervalued and underpaid. They don’t always realize the years of training, the hours of rehearsals, and all the work that happens behind the scenes to make every performance look effortless.
Being a dancer means so much more than what people see on stage or in class. It’s hours and hours of planning, choreographing, marketing, networking, managing other dancers, working with other businesses, and so much more. I have to wear all the hats and constantly create my own opportunities. All that on top of staying healthy, strong and mobile, and finding a good balance between work and life. It’s not always easy, but those challenges have made me more resilient and even more passionate about building a strong dance community here in Houston.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have always loved learning different art forms and dance styles, so it’s very usual for me to feel like I can do a lot of things but never master them. For the past 4 years, I’ve intentionally focused on heels dance and finding my place within that community and style. I’m still growing and evolving, but I can confidently say it’s become my specialty and what I’m most known for.
Heels combines everything I love about dance. It has a strong foundation in ballet technique, but it also embraces this powerful feminine energy that helps you tap into your confidence, sensuality, and authenticity. What makes my style unique is that I bring my background with me. I grew up dancing flamenco, and being Cuban, Latin movement and musicality have always been part of who I am. I love blending those influences into my heels choreography, so while it’s rooted in heels technique, it also carries the passion, rhythm, and storytelling from the styles that shaped me.To me, it’s not just about dancing in heels, it’s about owning your space, telling a story, and feeling empowered. That’s what keeps me inspired, and it’s the style I feel most connected to as both a performer and choreographer.
What I am most proud of, is finally creating Alura Dance Co. A collective of artists who share similar goals and styles. I have been wanting to create a dance company for the longest time just to have a brand and a platform to train and create work. We’ve performed in Houston a couple times but recently we had our first performance and Heels workshop in Austin, TX. We got to meet the heels community there and left feeling so grateful and inspired. We have our next Heels workshop in Houston on Friday, July 31st!
What does success mean to you?
To me, success isn’t about fame or money. It’s about building a community where people feel supported, inspired, and respected. It’s about earning the respect of your peers and being someone your students can look up to.
Some of the moments that make me feel the most successful are when a student tells me they feel more confident or that I’ve helped them grow or understand small details that make a huge difference in their movement. Knowing that the love, intention, and passion I put into my art is actually reaching people is the most rewarding feeling. That’s what success looks like to me.
Pricing:
- Private Lessons $50+
- Studio Classes $15+
- Alura Heels Workshop $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://posh.vip/e/houston-alura-heels-workshop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luzmoves/
