Education Programs

Whether you're new to dance or a long-time enthusiast, Ballet Hispanico's education programs will enrich your experience with this thrilling art form. Called Primeros Pasos (which means "first steps"), these innovative programs and activities, designed to serve students, educators, dance audiences and the general public, annually bring Ballet Hispanico's unique blend of dance and Hispanic culture to over 20,000 participants.

Primeros Pasos programs in the New York City area are centered around in-depth Classroom Residencies, which bring dance into the classroom not only as an exhilarating, participatory art form, but also as a teaching tool to develop students' learning skills. One model example of these residencies is Ballet Hispanico's program through New York State Council on the Arts Empire State Partnerships at P.S. 98. Educational Materials and Professional Training Workshops are an invaluable part of all Primeros Pasos activities.

In addition to these in-school activities, Primeros Pasos also presents an annual series of Performances for Young People, presented in a local theater to provide a rich, theatrical experience for students of all ages.

Primeros Pasos' National Programs serve communities throughout the United States, most often in locations where the professional company is performing. A complete list of the company's Residency Activities is included in The Company section of this web site. In select cities around the country, Primeros Pasos also provides in-depth school residencies, which include classroom workshops for students and a Performance for Young People in a nearby theater.

The support of public school districts, principals and teachers has been, and continues to be invaluable to the success of Primeros Pasos programs.

Primeros Pasos is made possible by the generous support of the Citigroup Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, and the Clark Foundation. Professional Development support for Primeros Pasos has been provided by the Dana Foundation.
The Performances for Young People series is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency.

is the New York sponsor for Primeros Pasos.

Ballet Hispanico