Choreographer Jason Ignacio from the US teaches master classes in Kazakhstan

Ignacio gave master classes to Astana-based dance company "Terra" at the Palace of Peace and Accord in Astana August 22-25, 2011. On August 26th, 2011 traveled to Semey to teach master classes to students at the East Kazakhstani Specialized Ballet School for Gifted Children. On August 27, 2011 he met with students and representatives of youth organizations in Semey at the East Kazakhstan Oblast Library, named after the poet Abay, to talk about his experiences as a young dancer and choreographer, the press service of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Kazakhstan reports.

Ignacio is a celebrated dancer in Washington, DC, and was named a "Top 20 Showstopper" by Washingtonian Magazine. Among his many awards, articles, and honorable mentions in newspapers and magazines, he was honored by the Kennedy Center's Local Dance Commissioning Project in 2009.

Ignacio began his dance training in the Philippines at the age of twelve. To further his career, Ignacio moved to New York City in 2001 where he worked with several dance companies and appeared in off-Broadway musicals. In 2007, Ignacio relocated to Washington, DC to join CityDance Ensemble, now Company E, as a lead performer with which he has travelled internationally, as both a performer and teacher. His most notable performance was in Paul Gordon Emerson's Jungle Books as "Mowgli" which won him the hearts of the DC community. The Washington Post claimed, "his dancing strikes the perfect balance of delicacy and robustness." Currently, he is the Associate Artistic Director and a co-founder of an international dance company based in Washington, DC, "Company E."