FRANCISCO AVIÑA, attended Orange County High School of the Performing Arts, where he was lucky to have had the chance to work with Kenny Ortega on the motion picture Newsies. Striving for a deeper understanding and knowledge of his craft, Francisco decided to make the transition to the world of contemporary dance as he received the opportunity to fulfill a scholarship in New York with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. After having the chance to sample a taste of contemporary movement, he was hooked and made the life-altering decision to move to Chicago to work for Hubbard Street 2 for one amazing season. He then moved on to dance for River North Chicago Dance Company before returning to the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago family and joining the big company HSDC, where he stayed for 2 years, performing brilliant roles created by acclaimed choreographers such as Ohad Naharin, Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, Twyla Tharp, Daniel Ezralow, and David Parsons.