Christina Ruiz Pastras
Associate Director, DEAEF Youth Programs and Regional Manager
Christina Ruiz Pastras was born in Philadelphia. She had a wonderful professional ballet and dance career working with Atlanta Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Gainesville Ballet and Marc Scott’s Dancers. Christina also performed in numerous industrial shows nationally and internationally as a backup dancer for Will Smith, Mariah Carey and Boys II Men. Christina holds a BFA in Dance Education from The University of the Arts and a Master’s in Education from Temple University. After an active performing career, Christina became a teaching artist training professional ballet dancers at The Rock School of Dance, as well as the Director of RockReach where she has advocated for the arts for thousands of children in the Philadelphia school system. Through her work with RockReach, Christina developed a partnership with The DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program, and then in 2018 began her role as Regional Manager of programs for Camden, New Orleans and Philadelphia. Christina is the current COO of Carolina Dance Collaborative. A nonprofit in the Carolina’s.
“Working with the DEAEF gives me countless reasons to smile. I’ve seen scholarship students receive their very first opportunity to participate in a dance program. I watch them try on their first pair of dance shoes and a leotard. It is unforgettable. I’ve witnessed the foundation’s scholarship students' skills grow over time, just as I’ve seen program groups of 50 students in martial arts classes progress from their first lesson to confident demos. Being able to help create those moments, and the joy that comes with them, is a true gift.”
Christina is honored to be a part of The DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program where she can help advocate for at-risk children and provide them with a safe space, mentors and a feeling of accomplishment through a drug free lifestyle and dance.