Ballet Hispanico Announces 2012 Summer Intensive

Ballet Hispanico, recognized as the preeminent Latino dance institution in the United States, announces the 2012 Summer Intensive to be held from July 9-August 10 for students of dance, ages 6-21.

Through diverse and disciplined training, students will refine their technique and grow as young artists during this five-week intensive. The student body of the Summer Intensive is international and this year includes students from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and France. Ballet Hispanico prides itself on a diverse and eclectic mix of instruction and genres of dance that makes its level of artistic excellence unparalleled, while utilizing the Latino cultural dance elements to enrich and resonate its importance in the field.

"The cultural immersion that we are able to offer our students is what makes Ballet Hispanico unique, and it is why we continue to be regarded as a destination for quality training," said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico.

Auditions were held on January 8, March 11 and June 11, and students will be placed into one of four levels according to ability. New for the 2012 program is a 2-week Introductory level that assumes no prior training.

The curriculum of the 2012 Summer Intensive includes Ballet, Pointe, Men's Technique, Spanish Dance, Partnering, Modern, Repertory, and Afro-Caribbean. The uniquely designed ballet program at Ballet Hispanico draws from Cuban Ballet technique, a methodology renowned for creating proficient and powerful dancers. Also of note is a Repertory class that offers high-level students the rare opportunity to learn celebrated Ballet Hispanico company repertory alongside other significant ballets in the dance canon, and an Improvisation class that cultivates critical thinkers. Students will develop their performance skills by participating in a culminating presentation at the end of the intensive.

The 2012 Summer Intensive faculty includes Caridad Martinez, former Principal Dancer, National Ballet of Cuba; Ballet Hispanico principal dancers Jessica Alejandra Wyatt and Min-Tzu Li; Gabriela Granados, the Artistic Director and Founder of American Bolero Dance Company (flamenco); and Ronald Alexander, former School Administrator at Dance Theatre of Harlem.