Photos: Ballet Hispánico School of Dance
New York, NY – Ballet Hispánico School of Dance announces its 2024 summer programs for early childhood, with registration available now! Boasting 54 years of excellence in dance education, the Early Childhood Program at Ballet Hispánico is a dynamic fusion of creativity, cultures, and technique that goes beyond dance, providing a holistic approach to skill development. The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance has multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary training with world-renowned dance professionals for dancers of all ages in a fun and supportive environment where students can enhance their dance and fitness skills.
The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance offers half day camps with the option to register for one or up to six weeks. Financial aid and payment plans available.
Los Explorers: Early Childhood Program (Ages 3-6)
Week-long Camps | June 24 – August 2, 2024
Los Explorers is an exciting half-day dance camp, including creative dance, cultural dance, music study, and arts & crafts. This summer, Campers will be immersed in the cultures of Cuba, Spain, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Peru, and Mexico. Sign up to discover a new place, visit a familiar one, or take a trip around the world.
Los Explorers camps run from June 24th to August 2nd, 2024. You can register your child for one or up to six weeks. More weeks simply means lower weekly tuition. Each 1-week camp is themed around a country and explores the history, dances, songs, artwork, and landscapes. The perfect adventure camp for both boys and girls—join us for this multi-sensory journey of the rhythms, stories, and wonders of these featured countries.
All camps are five-day weeks from 9am – 12pm, except Spain, which runs July 1 – 3, 2024 and concludes July 5, 2024 (no classes July 4). Registration for the week of Spain is separate from other weeks. For more information\register here.
Cuba • June 24 – 28, 2024
Come explore Cuba’s broad variety of landscapes and animals, from Viñales in the western part of the country to Guardalavaca Beach in eastern Cuba! Salsa through the streets of Santiago de Cuba and spin and leap through the Great Theatre of Havana, where the Cuban National Ballet performs.
Spain • July 1 – 5, 2024
Discover interesting facts about Spain’s geography, history, food, and famous citizens while learning about its culture, art, and festivals. Explorers will be mesmerized as they step into the world of Spanish Dance, moving to the beautiful sounds of the guitar, the rhythmic quality of the palmas and zapateado, and working with the Spanish fan.
Puerto Rico • July 8 – 12, 2024
Adventure to Puerto Rico and learn the boricua way of life! Discover some of the most vibrant and captivating places in the world, from the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, to the tiny coqui frogs of the El Yunque rainforest. Explorers will dance through the streets at the Fiesta Nacional de la Danza, and follow the drums as they move to the beat of the Bomba.
Brazil • July 15 – 19, 2024
Join in the festivities at Rio de Janeiro’s famous Carnaval! Explorers will craft their own masks as they dance to the lively beats of Samba music and discover the Capoeira. Investigate the exotic plants and diverse mix of animals in the Pantanal, the largest freshwater wetland in the world.
Peru • July 22 – 26, 2024
Come investigate the rich history of Peru: home of the ancient Incas and Machu Picchu, and some of the most diverse ecosystems, flora, and fauna, including llamas! Handmade art and textiles will inspire Explorers as they craft their own. They will twirl in the Valicha and dance with a partner in the Marinera.
Mexico • July 29 – August 2, 2024
Discover the wonders of old and new Mexico, from the mysteries of Aztec and Mayan ruins to the current lives of modern Mexicans. Adventure through the Lacandón rainforest, the raw, untamed beaches of Costa Maya, and experience the bustling energy of Mexico City. Explorers will clap to the beat of the Jarabe Tapatio as they delve into the art, music, and dances that shape everyday life in Mexico.
The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance is a leading center of excellence in dance education—serving over 1,000 students and celebrating more than 50 years of dance and culture—and offers accessible, high-quality dance training to students of all levels ages 2 through adult. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, it empowers students by offering a holistic approach to movement discovery, including pre-professional training and classes for the novice dancer.
The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance is the direct link to the organization’s values of access, opportunity, and pride for all students interested in dance and Latine/x/Hispanic culture. VIP Discount pricing available for all Summer Programs for students who register and pay in full before April 1, 2024. Registration closes June 1, 2024. The School also offers merit and need based scholarships. For more information and to register, visit ballethispanico.org/school/summer-programs or email [email protected]. Campers must meet the age requirement of 3-6 years old by June 1, 2024. For any questions or concerns regarding the age requirement, please reach out to Early Childhood Programs Advisor, Georgina Greenleaf, at [email protected].
“At Ballet Hispánico, we’ve dedicated more than 50 years of service to making dance education accessible to our communities,” said Michelle Manzanales, Director, School of Dance, Ballet Hispánico. “Our mission to provide world class dance training and art making for dancers of all ages is deeply intertwined with our passion for lifting up our students and artists. We take pride in the fact that our mission and art is rooted in cultural representation, authenticity, and expression. More than simply dance education, we work to support the development of overall life skills: the ability to access joy, own and express one’s individual voice, tackle decision-making, thrive in teamwork, and truly understand hard work and its rewards.”
Ballet Hispánico was founded on the principle that everyone deserves dance, quality dance training and innovative performances. In creating the company in 1970, Tina Ramirez shattered a glass ceiling—challenging iconic representations and exposing the joy and celebration to be found in Latindad. Despite its humble origins, Ballet Hispánico immediately served as a catalyst for people in the Latine/x/Hispanic community, especially for Latino youth, to follow their dreams in the cultural world.
Today, as the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, Ballet Hispánico’s three main programs, the Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships bring together communities to celebrate the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas. Ballet Hispánico’s New York City headquarters provide the space and cultural heart for Latinx dance in the United States. It is a space that expands on Ramirez’s original vision by providing our community the ability to train through dedicated scholarship opportunities, exceptional dance training, inclusive cultural dialogues, and exemplary performances. No matter their background or identity, Ballet Hispánico welcomes and serves all, breaking stereotypes and celebrating the beauty and diversity of Hispanic cultures through dance.
Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as a Company dancer in 1985 and became the organization’s second Artistic Director in 2009 and CEO in 2015. Vilaro is building on Ramirez’s impact: expanding and deepening a legacy of showcasing the depth of our cultures, and exposing the intersectionality found in the Hispanic diasporas by focusing on nurturing Hispanic leaders. Through programs like the Instituto Coreográfico, the Latinx Leaders Summit and Diálogos, Ballet Hispánico has become a center for artistic leadership development. As an immigrant himself, Mr. Vilaro’s vision of inclusion and cultural revelation has elevated a community from the margins to its place ingrained at the center of the American cultural landscape.
Ballet Hispánico is an ambassador for our community worldwide. The company has now performed for more than 2.5 million people in three continents and all fifty states. Our company engages audiences with the work of Latino and Latina choreographers, opens a platform for new cultural dialogue and nurtures inspiring young dancers of all ages. Through its exemplary artistry, Ballet Hispánico champions and amplifies the Latin American experience in the field. As it looks to the future, Ballet Hispánico is committed to continue nurturing artists, teachers, students, arts leaders, families and communities through the power of dance.
