A Moving Legacy

Photograph by Bruce Laurance

Ballet Hispanico, a New York dance company, has been creating its own form of music and motion for the past 29 years by mixing traditional Spanish dance moves, such as rapid-fire zapateado heel work, with classical ballet and jazz.

The troupe of a dozen or so dancers has earned widespread acclaim with its performances throughout the United States and in other countries.

Tina Ramirez, the founder of Ballet Hispanico, says that more important to her than the troupe, however, is the organization’s dance school for children and adults. Dance, she believes, is key to passing on Hispanic culture and traditions to future generations of Americans.

“Dance gives a child a sense of confidence and accomplishment and, for Hispanic children, a sense of pride in their heritage,” says Ms. Ramirez, the daughter of a Mexican bullfighter and a Puerto Rican teacher. “The professional company grew out of that foundation to become a role model for today’s young people.”

Ballet Hispanico’s activities also include Primeros Pasos — or “first steps” — a program in which dancers travel to public schools to teach youngsters about Latin American culture and dance. The GE Fund has made a two-year, $150,000 grant to pay for the program.

Here, students at the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance work at perfecting a flamenco dance move.