Walking in beauty and harmony with Jock Soto

Now retired from the New York City Ballet, dancer Jock Soto is one of eight New Mexicans who will receive a 2024 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.Ìý

During his career as a New York City Ballet star, Jock Soto partnered with some of the world’s legendary ballerinas. But his very first partner was his mother, Mama Jo (Josephine Towne Soto), who taught him to perform the hoop dance with her at rodeos and gatherings, with hoops made by his grandfather, when he was just 3 years old.

Now retired from the NYCB, Soto teaches and choreographs nationwide but always comes home to New Mexico. He is one of eight New Mexicans who will receive a Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts — something he says he “never imagined†— at the October 10 ceremony at St. Francis Auditorium.

The award is “well-deserved,†says Patricia Dickinson, founder and artistic director of Festival Ballet Albuquerque, who has collaborated with Soto for many years. “He was born here, he lived here, he came back, and now he’s giving back to his Native heritage.â€

Walking in beauty and harmony with Jock Soto

Soto as depicted in 1986 by artist Andy Warhol.

Walking in beauty and harmony with Jock Soto

Now retired from the New York City Ballet, dancer Jock Soto is one of eight New Mexicans who will receive a 2024 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.Ìý

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