Ruka Hatua-Saar White

Ruka Hatua-Saar White joined the Conservatory in 2016 and is an associate professor in the Dance Division, where he bridges concert and commercial dance practices across academic and performance platforms. Born in Aviano, Italy and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he began his training as a scholarship student with Miami City Ballet, studying there for eight years. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Florida State University and his Master of Fine Arts in dance from Hollins University.

White has performed with companies such as Ballethnic Contemporary Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), Philadanco, Armitage GONE!, and the Limón Dance Company. His performance career also includes work with Maya Angelou, Shirley Murdock, Missy Elliott, and Celia Cruz.

As a choreographer, White received an Elliot Norton Award nomination for Best Choreography for his work on the acclaimed production Choir Boy. At Berklee, he created and teaches the innovative online course Iconic Dance and Urban Movement, which explores cultural appropriation, stylistic nuance, and authenticity in popular dance forms.

Beyond his academic role, White is the artistic director of RUKADANCE LLC, his multidisciplinary company dedicated to immersive projects blending dance, theater, cabaret, vogue, and Africanist aesthetics. Through both his scholarship and creative practice, he champions versatility, cultural dialogue, and community engagement.