When first-generation Mexican American Omar Rivera searched for dance companies to join, he wanted to see others onstage who looked like him. That’s when he found Ballet Hispánico, the largest Latino dance company in the U.S. Eight seasons later, he says being a part of the company “feels like a dream come true.”
“It’s not just dance, it is a cultural experience,” Rivera said.
Founded by Venezuelan immigrant Tina Ramirez in 1970, Ballet Hispánico brings communities together to explore heritage through dance.
“I want people to walk away with curiosity about culture,” said Ballet Hispánico artistic director and CEO Edwardo Vilaro, who took over the company in 2015. “We initiate a conversation that I hope can continue when they go home.”
Since its founding, the organization has commissioned over 100 original works, performed on stages around the world, and has offered classes at 80 New York public schools. To alleviate the financial strain of pursuing a career in the arts, the company has awarded over $5 million in scholarships to young dancers, training 20,000 students and serving thousands of New Yorkers through community partnerships.
“Ballet Hispánico is very much a family,” said 16-year-old student Alicia Robles. “When I got my scholarship, I just felt so much better because I knew that I could train here, and I didn’t have to worry about how much it was going to cost for my family.”
Watch the video above to learn more about Ballet Hispánico. Find out more about annual programming here.
