Biography and education
Julio is the Head of Musical Theatre Dance. Native Spanish and fluent English speaker. He recieved his BFA in dance from The Ailey School/Fordham University and MFA in musical theatre from San Diego State University. He has spent the past 20 years as a performer, producer, director, choreographer and educator in the United States and abroad. Julio previously served as an adjunct instructor at Syracuse University and student graduate instructor at San Diego State University. He is a member of Actors' Equity (AEA), American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Musical Theater Educators' Alliance (MTEA).
In 2020, Julio founded the nonprofit Teatro San Diego for which he has proudly raised just over $150,000 to date; through fundraising efforts and grant writing. His passion is the continued effort in providing equal access to arts education in communities and neighborhoods that are under-funded and under-represented. Julio is grateful for the continued effort in curating a a safe communal environment with collaborative artists at Texas State!
In 2020, Julio founded the nonprofit Teatro San Diego for which he has proudly raised just over $150,000 to date; through fundraising efforts and grant writing. His passion is the continued effort in providing equal access to arts education in communities and neighborhoods that are under-funded and under-represented. Julio is grateful for the continued effort in curating a a safe communal environment with collaborative artists at Texas State!
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Catano, Julio (Supporting), 501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Teatro San Diego (Principal). Creative Communities San Diego, San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, Municipal, $8130. (Funded: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024). Grant.
- Catano, Julio. Artist Grant, William Male Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $5000. (Funded: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024). Grant.
- Catano, Julio (Supporting), 501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Teatro San Diego (Principal). San Diego Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $28140. (Funded: July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). Grant.
- Catano, Julio (Supporting), 501(c)(3) Nonprofit, Teatro San Diego (Principal). Creative Communities San Diego, San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, Municipal, $6839. (Funded: July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). Grant.
- Catano, Julio. Artist Grant, William Male Foundation, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $4000. (Funded: March 28, 2022 - August 21, 2022). Grant.

Featured scholarly/creative works
- Choreographer, West Side Story.
August 27, 2023.
- (Juried) Reviewed by: Pam Kragen.
- (Juried) Reviewed by: David Dixon.
- Actor, Sunset Boulevard.
February 8, 2023.
Performances:
- Broadway Center Stage. The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
- Actor, West Side Story (2021).
December 2021.
Showings:
- Motion Picture. Amblin Entertainment, New York, NY.
- Actor, West Side Story.
August 2016 - January 2018.
Performances:
- International Tour, Dubai, Istanbul, Paris, Auckland, Shanghai, Prague, Zurich, Hong Kong, Muscat, Bratislava, Bangkok, Munich, Dublin, Manila, Tokyo, Vienna, Turin, Frankfurt, The Hague, Singapore.
- Actor, The Addams Family.
January 2013 - May 2014.
Performances:
- National Tour, 46 U.S. states, Singapore and China.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Outstanding Musical Ensemble, San Diego International Fringe Festival. 2022
- Award / Honor Recipient: Best Streaming Concert/Cabaret, BroadwayWorld Awards (San Diego). 2021
- Award / Honor Nominee: Best Choreography, BroadwayWorld Awards (San Diego). 2023

Featured service activities
- President
Teatro San Diego
- University Mentor
Living Learning Community Program
- Undergraduate Advisor
Musical Theatre Choreography Club
- Attendee / Participant
Easter Bonnet Competition-Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
- Attendee / Participant
A Concert for Broadway-Broadway Mall Association
- Participant
Search Committee - Tenure/Non-Tenure Assistant/Associate Professor of Musical Theatre