Leadership Legacy
Tina Ramirez (1929-2022)
Founder
Tina Ramirez founded Ballet Hispánico in 1970 and served as Artistic Director until 2009. Under her direction, over 45 choreographers created works for the Company, many of international stature and others in the early stages of their career.
Ms. Ramirez was born in Venezuela, the daughter of a Mexican bullfighter and grandniece to a Puerto Rican educator who founded the island’s first secular school for girls. Her performing career included international touring with the Federico Rey Dance Company, the Broadway productions of Kismet and Lute Song and the television adaptation of Man of La Mancha.
In recognition of her enduring contributions to the field of dance, Ms. Ramirez received the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest cultural honor, in 2005. Juilliard awarded her an honorary degree, Doctor of Fine Arts, in 2018. Numerous other awards include the Honor Award from Dance/USA (2009), the Award of Merit from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (2007), the Dance Magazine Award (2002), the Hispanic Heritage Award (1999), a Citation of Honor at the 1995 New York Dance and Performance Awards (the “Bessies”), the NYS Governor's Arts Award (1987), and the NYC Mayor’s Award of Honor for Arts & Culture (1983).
Eduardo Vilaro
Artistic Director & CEO
Eduardo Vilaro is the Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico, leading the company with a bold vision that honors its rich legacy while embracing the evolution of contemporary dance. Named Artistic Director in 2009 and CEO in 2015, he is only the second person to lead the organization since its founding in 1970. Under his leadership, Ballet Hispánico has expanded its artistic reach, shaping a dynamic future for the company.
Mr. Vilaro believes in the transformative power of dance to inspire, engage, and connect people. He sees movement as a universal language—one that allows artists, students, and audiences to explore expression and artistry beyond words. His choreographic work reflects the depth of the Latine experience and draws from a broad range of influences, resulting in compelling works that have been commissioned by institutions such as the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Festival, the Lexington Ballet, and the Chicago Symphony.
Mr. Vilaro was a Ballet Hispánico company dancer and educator from 1988 to 1996 before earning a master’s degree in interdisciplinary arts from Columbia College Chicago. He then founded and led Luna Negra Dance Theater for a decade, where he developed a reputation for artistic excellence and innovative leadership.
His contributions to the field have earned him numerous accolades, including the Ruth Page Award for choreography, induction into the Bronx Walk of Fame, and recognition as HOMBRE Magazine’s Arts & Culture Trailblazer of the Year. He has also been honored by WNET for his impact on the arts and has received the James W. Dodge Foreign Language Advocate Award, the West Side Spirit’s WESTY Award, and a Compassionate Leaders Award. In 2020, City & State Magazine included him in its inaugural Power of Diversity: Latin 100 list.
A sought-after speaker, Mr. Vilaro frequently shares his insights on leadership in the arts, the role of cultural narratives in dance, and the importance of fostering the next generation of artistic voices.