A native of Washington, DC., graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts as a dance major. He then received his BFA in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College where he was able to work with choreographers such as Robert Battle, Jiri Kylian, Chris D’ Ambroise, Jose Limon, Sean Curran, and Donald Byrd.

After graduation and in his professional career, Chivas danced with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble,  Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre in Dallas, TX. He moved back to New York City and became a member of one of the most innovative choreographers of our time, which was Elisa Monte Dance. Also while living in NYC, he was able to work with many choreographers and performed in Petrouchka, at The New York Musical Festival.

He decided to make a bold move and begin a new career in St. Louis, MO where performing became secondary and teaching/director was primary. While here, Chivas guested with The Big Muddy Dance Company, performed with Dance St. Louis, and was an ensemble member in The Wiz with The St Louis Black Repertory. From there, he landed a dance teacher job at Grand Center Arts Academy where he truly knew teaching was a passion for him.

In 2016, Chivas moved back to Washington, DC, where he became a core teacher at Joy of Motion, served as the Co-Chair/Dance teacher of Creative Arts at Gholson Middle School, and performed with the Washington National Opera in Eugene Onegin, Samson and Delilah, and Carmen.

In 2020, Mr. Merchant-Buckman received his Master’s in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. With this degree, he wants to enhance his teaching abilities in education and continue and continue mentoring the youth of today.