A native of south Texas, Francisco Graciano, holds an MFA from Florida State University. As a professional dancer in New York City he was a member of several esteemed companies and is a founding member of TAKE Dance Company and Dusan Tynek Dance Theater. Mr. Graciano was recognized by The New York Times as a “virtuoso star” during his time with the Paul Taylor Dance Company from 2004 to 2017. Dance Magazine also named him one of their "25 to Watch," praising him as a dancer with “a freshness that’s all his own.” His choreography has been presented in the U.S. and internationally by various prestigious organizations including Theater in Quarantine, Dance Lab New York, Battery Dance Festival, Austin Dance Festival, Provincetown Dance Festival, Nantucket Dance Festival, WestFest Dance Festival, and the 50th Annual Cervantino Festival. Notable collaborations include artists Jacob Jonas, Jordan Matter, Jen Mabus, and Robert Wilson. He has created solo works for principal dancers of the Martha Graham Dance Company and Paul Taylor DanceCompany. As a teaching artist he has been on faculty at Sam Houston State University, The Ballet Alliance, and the Taylor School. Additionally, Francisco serves as Program Coordinator and Social Media Manager for Dance on Camera Festival in New York. He is an Assistant Professor of Dance at New World School of the Arts and a licensed GYROTONIC® andGYROKINESIS® trainer.