Ballet Hispánico's Education Programs
From its founding, Ballet Hispánico has sought to provide culturally enriching educational programs to represent and nurture those within the Latinx community.
Tina Ramirez teaching flamencoBallet Hispánico
Education has been at the core of Ballet Hispánico’s mission and vision since its inception.
In the fall of 1970, Ballet Hispánico founder, Tina Ramirez, took a revolutionary step by creating an organization whose mission was to provide access to communities of color, instill a sense of pride, and create a pipeline to personal transformation. She envisioned empowering children, giving them a voice and an opportunity to discover new careers in the arts.
Nancy Turano teachingBallet Hispánico
As arts funding in our nation’s schools declines and arts organizations are faced with decreasing federal support, Ballet Hispánico continues to fill the gap by providing schools, communities, cities, and neighborhoods with quality arts education and arts experiences that help change lives.
We have seen the power of art in action and are a catalyst for transformation.
Ballet Hispánico Lecture DemonstrationBallet Hispánico
As Ballet Hispánico became a fully-fledged organization, education remained at the core. The School grew to offer a wide array of genres. Tina worked with public schools in New York City to share the joy of Latino dance culture with a far wider population of students.
School of Dance studentsBallet Hispánico
Ms. Ramirez’s studio became a lifeline in our communities, a safe-haven, providing cultural pride, access to dance education, a pipeline to higher education and careers in dance for our New York City youth.
School of Dance on stage with TinaBallet Hispánico
Founder Tina Ramirez believed the arts belonged to everyone and her vision of sharing lives on today through Ballet Hispánico's educational programs.
"When I started Ballet Hispánico, it was not for Tina Ramirez; it was for the students that I was teaching, so I hope I've made a difference in their lives." - Tina Ramirez, Founder
School of Dance
The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, led by Michelle Manzanales, is directly linked to the organization’s values of access, opportunity, and pride for all students interested in dance and Latinx culture. The School is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. “Each day our purpose remains rooted in our founder’s vision as we strive to continue to develop and safeguard the sacred space for discovery that is Ballet Hispánico. We stand proudly as the dance oasis for our Latinx community and all of its aspiring dancers, dance professionals, educators, artists, administrators, and visionaries, committed to ensuring that all that pass through our way leave as empowered, stronger leaders and trailblazers of the world at large.” —Michelle Manzanales, Director, School of Dance
BH Ballet Class by Rachel NevilleBallet Hispánico
The School has remained a prominent component of Ballet Hispánico throughout its 50 years.
Ballet Hispánico School of Dance Students by Rachel NevilleBallet Hispánico
As an ever-growing example of equity within the dance field, the School is committed to build and expand the accessibility of dance education by providing scholarships to children of color and systemically disenfranchised communities.
Ballet Hispánico School of Dance Students by Rachel NevilleBallet Hispánico
The School of Dance offers academic year training programs for dancers of all abilities, ages 2-23, including the Los Pasitos: Early Childhood Program, Encuentros: Open Class Program, La Academia: Pre-Professional Program, and Adult Program.
The School's summer programs welcome dancers and dance educators from across the country and world to its intensives and professional development opportunities.
Community Arts Partnerships
The Community Arts Partnerships programs, headed by Natalia Mesa, further the mission of Ballet Hispánico by engaging students, families, educators, leaders, and the general public, in the guided exploration of dance and Latinx cultures. "We are committed to providing holistic learning environments that respect each individual’s creative process, cultivate a sense of belonging, and representation of the richness of Latinx identities. With each dance step, we honor our traditions while paving the way for future generations to proudly recognize where they come from." - Natalia Mesa, Community Engagement Director
Community Arts Partnerships ResidencyBallet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico’s Community Arts Partnerships programs contribute to the community by providing a platform for: Cultural Immersion; Dance Education; and Personal Growth.
Our programs engage students, educators, community leaders and other arts organization to build a network of arts resources for disenfranchised communities.
BH Performances for Young PeopleBallet Hispánico
CAP programs stand to dismantle the systematic racism that has affected our communities over centuries. We offer arts immersion programs that provide quality dance instruction along with essential social values that empower young people in today's environment.
Community Arts Partnerships ResidencyBallet Hispánico
Our programs offer the authenticity and representation of Latinx traditions while allowing youth to express and create their own personal stories today. Ballet Hispánico Company repertoire is used as a resource, providing access points for movement and cultural context in these programs.
Community Arts Partnerships ResidencyBallet Hispánico
We work extensively throughout the New York City Public schools through in and after school residencies. At a national and international level, we bring the joy of the Latinx culture to communities thirsting for diversity, through various program offerings of residencies, workshops and performances.
