Ballet Hispánico

Founded in 1970 by the visionary dancer and choreographer Tina Ramírez, Ballet Hispánico has grown from a small performance group into a world class institution and a nationally recognized leader in dance and arts education.  As the largest Latinx cultural organization in the United States, its mission is to bring communities together to celebrate and explore Latinx cultures through innovative dance productions, transformative dance training, and community engagement.

Headquartered on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Ballet Hispánico’s building was originally constructed as horse stables in the 19th century. Over the years, it housed the Claremont Riding Academy and later the Gaynor School. In 1989, Ballet Hispánico acquired the building and transformed it into a 24,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, home to a dance school, dance studios, administrative offices, and a vibrant community hub.

In 2009, Eduardo Vilaro was appointed Artistic Director. A former member of the company and the founder of Chicago’s Luna Negra Dance Theater, Vilaro has led Ballet Hispánico into an artistically vibrant future, infusing the company with a bold brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s changing cultural landscape. Under his leadership, the company has produced groundbreaking works that reflect the contemporary Latinx experience while preserving and celebrating its traditional roots. In 2015, Vilaro was also named Chief Executive Officer.

Ballet Hispánico consists of three main programs: the Company, the School of Dance, and the Community Arts Partnerships (CAP). The professional company is the cornerstone of the organization, with a repertoire that embraces the rich diversity of Latinx heritage, exploring its traditions and challenges and fostering connection through the universal language of dance. Featuring works by renowned and emerging choreographers, the company performs each year with an annual New York season at New York’s City Center and cumulative national and international touring, which has included performances at The Kennedy Center, The White House, and many international venues. For the 2025 Spring Season, Ballet Hispánico is performing CARMEN.maquia, a contemporary look at Bizet’s beloved masterpiece, choreographed by Gustavo Ramirez Sansano.

Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance is one of the nation’s leading programs for dance training and offers extensive educational programs that serve over 1,200 New York City school children each year. It provides training for dancers of all ages and skill levels, from young children to adults, with an emphasis on ballet, contemporary, and Spanish dance as its core curriculum. The school also runs programs that introduce dance and Latinx culture to underserved communities and offers scholarships and financial aid programs to ensure students from all backgrounds can access training.

The organization’s impact extends beyond the stage. Its CAP brings the mission of Ballet Hispánico and the transformative power of dance to schools and community centers, celebrating and highlighting the culture of Latin America and its diaspora.  The company works closely with local organizations and neighborhood groups to provide access to the arts and encourage intercultural dialogue while empowering participants to express their personal experiences through improvisation, movement creation, and the practice of Latinx dance forms.

Ballet Hispanico is governed by a 24-member board of trustees, led by Chair Kate Lear. Patrick Muhlen was appointed Chief Managing Director (CMD) in 2023. The staff includes 15 dancers, 30 full-time staff members, and 30 Teaching Artists and other part-time employees. For the fiscal year ending June 2024, annual revenues were $9.4 million, with approximately $5 million from contributions and grants.  For the fiscal year ending June 2025, annual revenues are projected to be approximately $9.4 million, with $5.3 million from contributions and grants, and the remainder from ticket sales, investments, and other revenues. Ballet Hispánico’s permanently restricted endowment stands at $7 million.