Marcelo Martinez, originally from Paraguay, is in his third season with The Washington Ballet. At the age of 16, he moved to Brazil to dance with the Compania Jovem de Rio de Janeiro, under the direction of Dalal Aschar. Mr. Martinez has won numerous awards throughout South America including First Place at the National Competition of Brazil. In 2003, he appeared in the "Dance That Moves" program at the Kennedy Center, and was thereafter invited to join The Washington Ballet. He has appeared in a variety of roles, including the Peasant pas de deux in Giselle and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker.