Ballet Hispanico is an American dance company based in Manhattan

Manhattan

Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...

, New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

. It was founded by the Venezuelan American

Venezuelan American

Venezuelan Americans are citizens and residents of the United States who trace their heritage to the South American nation of Venezuela.Venezuelan Americans are one of 20 Hispanic or Latino groups in the U.S. While other U.S...

 dancer and choreographer Tina Ramirez

Tina Ramirez

Tina Ramirez is an American dancer and choreographer, best known as the Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico, the leading Hispanic dance company in the United States.-Biography:...

 in 1970 and presents dances reflecting the experience of Hispanic and Latino Americans

Hispanic and Latino Americans

Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...

. It describes itself as "the foremost dance representative of Hispanic culture in the United States."http://www.ballethispanico.org/general_information/general_index.html

The company has performed for more than two million people in the United States, Europe, and South America, and has a repertoire of over 75 works.http://www.danzaballet.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2254 The company has commissioned nearly 80 works and acquired 11 others, working with 45 choreographers from around the world.http://www.ballethispanico.org/company/entire_repertory.html

About

Ballet Hispanico explores, preserves, and celebrates Latino cultures through dance. The mission unfolds in the work of the professional Company, the School of Dance, and the Education & Outreach programs. Together, these divisions celebrate the dynamic aesthetics of the Hispanic diaspora, building new avenues of cultural dialogue and sharing the joy of dance with all communities.

Recognized for her achievements by the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest cultural honor, Tina Ramirez founded Ballet Hispanico in 1970. Ms. Ramirez, daughter of a Mexican bullfighter and grand-niece of a Puerto Rican educator, enjoyed a long professional dance career before establishing BH. From its grassroots origins as a dance school and community-based performing arts troupe, the organization has grown into a world class institution. Ballet Hispanico’s New York City headquarters includes six beautiful dance studios.

In August 2009, Ballet Hispanico welcomed Eduardo Vilaro as its Artistic Director. A former member of the Ballet Hispanico Company, Vilaro founded and led Chicago’s Luna Negra Dance Theater for ten years. Vilaro’s background in dance education and community outreach allows him to build on the core values established by Ms. Ramirez to bring Ballet Hispanico into an artistically vibrant future.

The Company

The Ballet Hispanico Company performs a diverse repertory by the foremost choreographers of our time as well as emerging artists. The works fuse Latin dance with classical and contemporary techniques to create a new style of concert dance in which theatricality and passion propel every move. The choreographers represent a multitude of nationalities including Venezuela, Cuba, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. The Company has offered over 3,350 performances to an audience of over 2 million, throughout 11 countries, on 3 continents.

School of Dance

The School of Dance offers a unique curriculum including flamenco and classic Spanish dance as well as ballet and contemporary techniques. The School offers rigorous pre-professional training, a general program, and special classes for pre-schoolers and adults. It has trained more than 8,000 children who have gone on to successful careers in dance, theater, film, education, business, and many other professions.

Education & Outreach

Education & Outreach (formerly known as Primeros Pasos) offers an innovative exploratory learning experience for school children, teachers, and parents. The in-school version of the program offers long-term teaching artist residencies and has touched the lives of some 20,000 New York City school children. The touring program includes teacher training sessions, classroom workshops and master classes with Company members, and special Performances for Young People, and has brought the joy of Latino dance traditions to countless thousands across the country.

Location

The ballet occupies the former Claremont Riding Academy

Claremont Riding Academy

The Claremont Riding Academy, also known as Claremont Stables, the last riding stable in Manhattan, was located at 175 West 89th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues in New York City. It was designed by Frank A. Rooke and built in 1892. It was listed on the National Register of Historic...

 stables (1892) on West 89th Street that is on the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

. It was built to designs by architect Frank Rooke in 1892 and converted into a ballet studio in 1989 by Buck and Crane.