about | | SoulWorks

BIOGRAPHY | Imani Portales Torres is a multi-discipline performing artist.

Spending her youth in the foster care system, and unable to train as a child, Imani began her training in Modern Dance during college, where she went on to receive a BFA, while simulatanously studying Pre-Med / Chemistry.

Beginning her professional journey in NYC as a Contemporary Dancer, she has been fortunate to perform with such companies as The Metropolitan Opera, Vissi Dance Theatre, Underground Dance Project, The Lady Dames, Urban Bush Women with The Mozambique National Dance Company as well as ballet performances with Open World Dance Foundation, ABT, and Laura Alonso Ballet.

She has also performed her own solo choreography in conjunction with The Angel Orensanz Foundation and Baryshnikov Arts Center.

In 2013 Imani began a mentorship in Classical Ballet and has traveled the world for her training and education.

Her first dance film, MUJER NOIRE was selected and shown by Film at Lincoln Center | Dance On Camera Festival in 2021. It was also shown at the Seoul Dance Film Festival in Seoul, Korea that same year.

Imani also has interests in singing, acting, photography, installation, visual arts, writing, and music.

BALLETOMANE | Imani entered a full-blown love affair with Classical Ballet while watching The Nutcracker on a PBS television special at 10 years old.

Unable to access training due to family circumstances, it wouldn't be until many years later when she would finally delve into the training.

Lucking into ABT's Summer Intensive, Imani finally made a full-blown commitment to training in Classical Ballet. Since this decision she has focused in the Vaganova and Cuban traditions and has traveled the world to receive education from renowned coaches and pedagogues.

Entering a mentorship in 2013 with revered pedagogue V. Semenov, she was given full scholarship by Open World Dance Foundation in connection with Baryshnikov Arts in 2016 and 2018 to study Russian Classical Ballet and Vaganova Pedagogy with Ludmila Safronova, Irina Kolpakova and others who were direct pupils of Agrippina Vaganova.

Since 2014 Imani has been investigating Cuban Classical Ballet pedagogy with yearly trips to Havana, Cuba. She has been honored to study and perform with Laura Alonso's Ballet since 2019.

VISION The Creative Arts have been at the center of Imani's journey and have enabled her to survive life circumstances that are challenging and often, limiting.

In recognizing the Arts to be crucial to healing, Imani seeks to engage in work which evokes connection, feelingm transcendence and inspiration.

Imani's passion for Arts as Advocacy means that a vast percentage of ticket sales and profits are re-directed to her FOSTER ARTS initiatives which seek to serve children with histories in the social service system.