Dancers' Biographies

Ballet Hispanico's company members have been hailed for their "vibrant and virtuosic" performances (The New York Times), their "stunning individuality and flamboyant, expressive style" (Chicago Sun-Times) and their "all-out energy" (The Miami Herald). Gathered from around the globe, they bring to the stage not only technical expertise but also a powerful dramatic sensibility and contagious delight to their performances. "When Ballet Hispanico's dancers take the stage, watch out. No one struts, kicks, spins, leaps and gyrates the way they do. Their joy is infectious." (New York Newsday)

Eric Rivera, a native of Humacao, Puerto Rico is in his eleventh season with Ballet Hispanico, creating numerous new roles. Mr. Rivera has performed with Minnesota Ballet, Ballet Theater of Pennsylvania and Ballet Municipal de San Juan. He has performed works by Mark Morris, José Limon and George Balanchine. He performed in Carousel and a European tour of Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story. Mr. Rivera earned a BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase.

Irene Hogarth-Cimino was born in South Africa, training with Patricia Mcintosh, Faith DeVilliers and at the University of Cape-Town. Ms. Hogarth-Cimino continued her training at the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey School and workshops with Twyla Tharp and Gelsey Kirkland. She danced with UCT Ballet, NAPAC Dance Company and American Repertory Ballet. This is her eighth season with Ballet Hispanico.

Natalia Alonso is a native New Yorker of Spanish decent. She trained at Fedicheva Ballet, Boston Ballet and Alvin Ailey before joining Ballet Hispanico seven years ago. She received a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University and is also a GYROTONIC® instructor. She has worked with choreographers such as Alonzo King, George Faison and Bradley Shelver and has danced on several Telemundo programs.

Rodney Hamilton, a native of St. Louis, started his dance training at the age of ten with Carr Lane, COCA, Alexandra School of Ballet and Katherine Dunham. In 1996, at the age of 14, Mr. Hamilton joined the adult dance chorus at The Muny of St. Louis. He graduated from The Juilliard School and is now in his sixth season with Ballet Hispanico.

Candice Monét McCall began her training at Freedom Theater in Philadelphia, and continued at the University of the Arts, Philadanco, and Alvin Ailey on scholarship. She has performed with Eleone Dance Theater, Forces of Nature Dance Theater, and Theater Fleur de Lis, in New Orleans. This is Ms. McCall's fifth season with Ballet Hispanico.

Angelica Burgos is of Dominican-Armenian heritage and is beginning her fourth season with Ballet Hispanico. Ms. Burgos has danced with The Sacramento Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Ron Cunningham's Carmen and Rite of Spring, and Balanchine's The Four Temperaments. She has worked with Dwight Rhoden, Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre and Septime Webre.

Nicholas Villeneuve, a native Canadian, was raised in Kingston, Jamaica. An alumnus of The Juilliard and The Alvin Ailey Schools, his credits include The Lion King, Cortez Contemporary Ballet and The Company Dance Theatre, Jamaica. He has performed works by Jose Limon and Hans van Manen, is on faculty at Perry Mansfield and guest teaches at The Juilliard School. This is his third season with Ballet Hispanico.

Waldemar Quiñones has performed with Ballet de San Juan, Ballet Concierto and Ballet Teatro Nacional de Puerto Rico. Mr. Quinones has performed with Olga Tanon, Marc Anthoney, Gilberto Santa Rosa and for Pope John Paul II. Television appearances include The Billboard Music Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, Ms. Universe, and the Superbowl. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a BS in Education.

Jessica Batten trained with New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble under Nancy Turano. Ms. Batten was a personal demonstrator for the Paris Opera and Royal Danish Ballet Schools, and performed with the Kirov Ballet. She graduated Cum Laude in 2005 from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance and has danced with NJDTE, Cedar Lake II and Connecticut Ballet. This is her second season with Ballet Hispanico.

Min-Tzu Li, a native of Taiwan, enjoyed her education at The Boston Conservatory and gained many diverse experiences working with their faculty and students. Ms. Li has been fortunate to perform works by such masters as Jose Limon, Martha Graham and Murray Louis, as well as creating her own works. This is her first season with Ballet Hispanico.

Jeffery Hover graduated summa cum laude from Butler University, receiving a BFA in Dance Performance with departmental honors. Mr. Hover has danced with New Jersey Ballet, Dance Kaleidoscope, Ballet International and The Muny in St. Louis. He has also worked closely with Paul Sutherland, Gemze de Lappe and Norman Walker. This is his first season with Ballet Hispanico.

Ariel Shepley trained with Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet and The Ailey School. Ms. Shepley toured internationally in West Side Story and nationally in Contact. She has danced with Opus Dance Theatre and Staten Island Ballet and is an undergraduate at Columbia University. This is her first season with Ballet Hispanico.