José A. Luis graduated with a BFA in Dance from UW-Milwaukee. He had the privilege to work with and perform under a majority of the faculty,  guest artists, and graduate students throughout his four years, including: the late Ed Burgess, Gerald Casel, Simone Ferro, Elijah Gibson, Maria Gillespie, Lisa Giobbi, Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, Elizabeth Johnson, Dani Kuepper, Heidi Latsky, Joel Valentin-Martinez, Alberto del Saz, Julie Tice-Bubolz, Colleen Thomas, and Luc Vanier. 

Ever open to learning, he has been awarded: a scholarship to participate in the Centennial Celebration of Alwin Nikolais in New York,  Wisconsin Dance Council Scholarship, and full scholarship to participate in “Sasha Waltz and Guests” including a weekend workshop at Tanzfabrik in Berlin, Germany. In the Twin Cities, residencies have crafted moments to (un)(re)learn who he is and his work through: the Center for Performing Arts’ “Works in Progress Residency”, “The HIJACK/HAIR+NAILS Supported Residency”, “Major Maintenance Residency” by MOVO, “The Cowles Center’s Generating Room”, and currently Red Eye Theater’s “OMNIVERS” program.

José balances his performance opportunities with his own choreographic endeavors. In his time in Milwaukee, WI he was a guest in Debra Lowen’s Wild Space Dance Company while also presenting at Danceworks and the Milwaukee Art Museum. His time in Chicago, IL was spent dancing with REDance Group and Kelly Anderson Dance Theater. This was also the time in which his independent works supported through Architectural Artifacts as a mentee under Shirley Mordine, D49 Festival sponsored by the Chicago Moving Company, and Harvest Chicago Contemporary Festival, led to presentations at RAD Fest in Kalamazoo, MI, 9×22 in Minneapolis, MN hosted by Laurie Van Wieren, and “A Light Mix” in the D.C. area.

Now residing in Minneapolis, MN he continues to excel and grow as an independent artist. His works have appeared at “Inbox@Artbox” through Off-Leash Area and Sarah Hauss, part of Zenon Zone, at the Rochester Art Center as part of “The Human Scale” curated by HAIR+NAILS, and at the Walker Art Center as part of “Choreographers’ Evening”. The year 2021 also saw José’s return to dance companies and creative processes with local choreographers such as Mathew Janczewski, Morgan Thorson, and Valerie Oliveiro as well as visiting artist, Heather Kravas. Independently, José realized a nine year dream in self-producing his own evening length show on September 17th and 18th, “Solo, w/ You”. Commissioned by Red Eye Theater, June 2022 also saw another dream fulfilled with the collaboration of a live band (Lavender Daughter) and a cast of dancers in a first draft of an evening length work, “By the Time We’re Through”. Awarded a “Creative Support for Individuals” FY 2023 through the Minnesota State Arts Board made his latest evening length work, “Desde Aquí” possible. A new intimate residency supporting marginalized voices, “Solo Perspectives” had its first iteration through fall of 2023 through the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council’s “Arts Impact for Individuals” — a testament to his sought desire in holding space for others. Currently he is in residency at Red Eye Theater through their OMNIVERS program (2024-2026), allowing him support to integrate writing into his practice through his “Reflections” series.