Kiyomi Mercadante Ramirez
School Faculty
As an elite classical pedagogue, contemporary choreographer, and professional dancer, Kiyomi brings over three decades of high-level industry experience to the studio. Former Artistic Director of Dallas Dance Company, she holds the prestigious distinction of Fellow of the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA); having achieved “Highly Commended” status across all professional teacher examinations through the Advanced level.
Her foundational training spans a world-class classical and contemporary lineage, featuring direct mentorship from legendary masters such as Malcolm Burn, Leslie Peck, Thom Clower, Kaye Weinstein Gary, Van Collins, and past CCA President Ann Parsley. Before shifting her focus entirely to education, Kiyomi performed with an elite roster of companies, including Ballet Dallas, The Richmond Ballet, Ballet Austin, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and Rasa Dance Chicago, while her original choreography has graced stages for companies like Dallas Dance Company, Columbia Classical Ballet, and Unbound Dance Company.
As a highly sought-after syllabus expert and master teacher, Kiyomi has directed, shaped, and mentored pre-professional dancers at prominent universities and elite academies nationwide, including the University of South Carolina, Dallas Black Dance Academy, Beyond Belief Dance Academy, Academy of Dance Arts Texas, and the School of the Richmond Ballet.
Her prolific performance background directly informs her classroom teaching, helping her students secure scholarships to prestigious programs like The Juilliard School, USC Kaufman, Texas Women’s University, Butler University, Indiana University, and the Alvin Ailey Fordham program. Her alumni have gone on to achieve professional classical and commercial success in film, television, theme parks, and cruise lines, with several currently performing on Broadway and internationally.
Personally, Kiyomi is happily married to her dance partner, Eduardo Ramirez, with whom she shares four children and a lifelong, unbreakable passion for the art of dance.