Who is Manny Chacon?

Emanuel "Manny" Chacon is a dancer and choreographer from Wilmington, DE. His love for movement began at a young age with the Afro-Brazilian Martial Art of Capoeira. Upon furthering his education at the University of Delaware, he pledged Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. With his fraternity brothers, his performance experience grew competing regionally and nationally while being mentored by industry choreographer J-Romeo. After graduating in 2014 with a degree in Marketing & Interactive Media, Manny worked in Admissions at Cabrini University while spending his evenings training, teaching, and performing with different acts and artists throughout Philadelphia. In 2016, dance became Full-time when Manny began touring with DC based company "Step Afrika!", the first professional dance company dedicated to the art form of stepping and a Top 5 African-American owned dance company. He had the honor to audition and become the first Latino casted in the company history. So far, Manny has had the opportunity to tour across 45 states and over 15 countries participating in live performance and cultural exchanges through the arts.

He is the founder of "La Cultura Dance Collective" ("The Culture" in Spanish), A company dedicated to representing “Reggaetón” culture through performances, workshops, arts education, and choreography. His styles include but not limited to Capoeira, Hip Hop, House, Afro, Dancehall, Stepping/Body Percussion, Gumboot, and Zulu. He embraces his diverse exposure to movement developing a distinct style that reflects diversity and culture. Everything he does through the arts is centered around culture, community, encouragement, and healthy living/fitness. His dedication has allowed him to see the world and perform with recording artists, on major network television, music videos, the US Embassy, the White House, conduct domestic & international workshops, perform across notable theaters, and more.

Now, his experience has led him to Villanova University where he begins a new chapter as Assistant Director of Dance for Student Performing Arts!