Originally from Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Mr. Duran began his dance training in Venezuelan folk dance, jazz, and contemporary dance. He was a founding member of Danza Diez, directed by Elliot Ortiz and by the age of 21 continued his ballet studies at Ballet FARTEN under the direction of Sandra Ledda and Jorge Ramirez. He later performed with Ballet Metropolitano, the National Ballet of Caracas, Tulsa Ballet Theatre and spent eight seasons with Eugene Ballet Company. Known for his versatility as an artist, Mr. Duran has performed works by Vicente Nebrada, Maria Rovira, Robert Battle, Mauricio Wainrot, Edwaard Liang and Jessica Lang, while also collaborating frequently with Eugene Ballet Company Artistic Director Toni Pimble.

In 2010, he was appointed Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer of Alaska Dance Theatre where he led artistic development initiatives and created original repertoire. He later choreographed works for Eugene Ballet, Ballet Des Moines, Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Arizona Studio Company.

Mr. Duran holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California and was awarded the Arizona Commission on the Arts Research & Development Grant in 2024. And in November of 2025, he was a finalist at the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and currently serves as an adjudicator for the ADC|IBC competition.

As a choreographer, educator, and creative instigator, he remains committed to advancing the next generation of dancers and expanding contemporary ballet dialogues through performance and mentorship. He is currently a teaching faculty member at the School of Ballet Arizona and Arizona School for the Arts.