David Wilson Michael Lopena-Johnson a Chicago native, is a proud member of the ChiArts class of 2018.
He went on to receive his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ballet from The University of Cincinnati
College-Conservatory of Music, class of ‘22. He began his dance studies at Joffrey Ballet under the direction of Erica Edwards and Willy Shives and has studied
with companies such as Giordano Dance Chicago, Nashville Ballet, and Ballet Chicago.

David was a company dancer with The New Jersey Ballet for 5 seasons, under the direction of Maria Kowroski where he has had the honor of performing George Balanchine’s Rubies, Who Cares, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and pieces choreographed by Justin Peck, Lauren Lovette and Peter Martins. He has graced the regional stages in many productions such as West Side Story and had the exciting experience of being a guest artist at The Nantucket Dance Festival. While dancing David was resident ballet faculty at Essex Dance Academy in Fairfield New Jersey and guest faculty at Studio L.