• Cultivate an appretiation for diverse dance traditions.
• Provide students with artistic avenues for self-expression.
• Inspire curiosity and engagement through student-centered dance experiences.
• Create an inclusive and welcoming environment for students, families, and teaching artists.

After-School Programs 

Structure: 

• One semester: 12 sessions for 1 - 6 groups
• Full year: 24 sessions for 1 - 6 groups 
• 1.5 to 2 hours per session 

Components: 

• Homework and snack time (30 min. optional)
• One or two dance forms
• Origin of dance / cultural contet
• Highlight of iconic figure 
• Spanish vocabulary
• Student center component
• Arts and crafts project
• Ballet Hispánico repertory

BOOK YOUR PROGRAM

Abril Amparo

A freelance dancer born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City. Amparo began her career in afro-latin social dance scene. Shortly after, she was exposed to Hip-Hop and Contemporary Dance where she performed repertory work by Marjani Forté-Saunders and company work by Jamie Chandler. She has performed in visuals by music artists Lion Babe, Jessie Woo and has modeled for Nike. She currently trains and performs with Baila Society and is a member of Dancers Unlimited. Abril obtained an AAS from the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY and a BA from Hunter College, CUNY in Fine Arts. She has been a Teaching Artist with Ballet Hispánico for 2 years where she has had the privilege and opportunity to teach NYC youth in uptown Manhattan and Bronx public schools.

Angélica Barbosa Rodríguez

Born and raised in Colombia. A graduate with honors from the BFA in Performing Arts with an emphasis in dance at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá, Colombia), and the last semester abroad at Institut del Teatre (Barcelona, Spain) in Dance Pedagogy & Choreography and Interpretation. She moved to New York to continue her professional training at the Ailey School and as a scholarship trainee in Limón Pro. She received supplemental training at institutions such as P.A.R.T.S (Brussels) Dart Dance Company (Berlin), Martha Graham School (NYC), Limón Pro (NYC) and GALLIM (NYC), where she was also an administrative and marketing intern for a year. Angélica is passionate about education and is a dedicated teaching artist with organizations like Notes in Motion, Ballet Hispánico, and Dancewave. Her own choreography has been featured in renowned venues such as New York City Center and Lincoln Center, showcasing her voice as both a performer and creator. She has collaborated in music videos with prominent Latino artists, including Latin Grammy winner Juliana Velásquez and the iconic Colombian rock band “Aterciopelados”.

Régine Bellinger

An international dancer, choreographer, actress, and curator based in Brooklyn, New York. She began her formal training in Traditional West African, Jazz, Ballet, and Modern dance, and later developed a deep passion for global dance forms such as Samba and Afrobeats. Her work expands beyond the stage. Régine starred in the indie docu-series Hidden Kingdom by Sacred Pact, a project that explored her love for cultural research, dance travel, and connections across the African diaspora. As a solo woman traveler, she has studied and performed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she trained in Passista-style samba and paraded in the world-famous Carnival with infamous Samba Schools such as G.R.E.S. Acadêmicos do Salgueiro. She is a proud dance member of Unidos de Padre Miguel and a Musa of Inocentes de Belford Roxo. Whether in the studio, on screen, or abroad, Régine’s mission is to bridge the gap between the diaspora and the continent through movement, education, and storytelling. Through her training and global expertise, she teaches and immerses children across New York City in Samba, Afro-Fusion, and Carnival culture from both Brazil and the Caribbean—fostering joy, heritage, and pride with every step.

Elisabet Delgado

Elisabet Delgado’s dance education flourished at the renowned Cuban National Ballet School, where she received rigorous classical training under the guidance of legendary instructors Fernando Alonso and Ramona de Saá. After relocating to New York City in 2012, Elisabet continued her professional career, performing with the Brooklyn Ballet Company until 2022.

Alongside her performance career, Elisabet developed a deep passion for teaching and sharing the beauty of ballet with younger generations. Over the years, she has taught at more than twenty institutions across New York City, including the prestigious The Ballet Hispánico School, Brooklyn Ballet, and Ballet Academy East. In 2024, Elisabet founded Elisballet Dance School, where she currently serves as founder and director.

Ana Estrada

A choreographer, dancer, and interdisciplinary artist dedicated to creating innovative works that bridge dance, visual art, film, and music. With a rich background as a professional dancer, Ana has performed with renowned companies across the U.S. and Mexico, including Ballet Hispanico, Tania Perez Salas Cía, La Infinita Cía, Laleget Danza, Faizah Grootenz, NYC Opera, and toured with Latin Grammy winner Angela Aguilar. Her screen credits span dance and acting roles in Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (Academy Awardwinning director Alejandro González Iñárritu), and Ana, La Serie (Amazon Prime). Ana’s choreographic work is driven by an exploration of movement, emotional connection, and the transformative power of the arts. Her recent commissions include “Yo, duelo” for Ballets de San Juan (Puerto Rico) and a choreographic collaboration for Angela Aguilar’s U.S. and Mexico tour. She has also served as a choreographer and creative director for the Performing Arts Covid Relief Fundraiser’s project “Thank You” and the music video “Cumbia de Espanto” for the Mexican band Los Reyes. From large-scale productions to intimate works, Ana’s choreography consistently investigates human connection through movement. Her dance-on-camera projects, including “Emotions of Confinement” and “Mi Danza, Mi Hogar,” reflect her commitment to creating immersive experiences that invite audiences to explore vulnerability, resilience, and the deep ties that bind us together. Ana’s interdisciplinary approach integrates music, film, and dance to craft evocative performances that challenge, engage, and inspire.

Daniel Fetecua

New York-based Colombian dancer, choreographer, educator and producer. Daniel has been a soloist member of the Limón Dance Company (2006-2016) dancing lead roles in José Limón’s master pieces as The Emperor in The Emperor Jones, Chaconne, The Unsung and Day on Earth by Doris Humphrey. Mr. Fetecua has appeared as guest artist in Pina Bausch’s Rite of Spring and Tannhäuser. Daniel is a master teacher of the Limón technique serving as reconstructor, faculty member and Professional Training Program Director of the Limón Institute. Founder and Artistic Director of two dance companies: Pajarillo Pinta’o a dance company that preserves and promotes Colombian traditional dances through dance performance, workshops and classes, and D-Move’s, a contemporary dance project that combines Colombian traditions, Modern Dance and German Tanz-Theater.

Daniel is a longtime collaborator of Colombian composer and musician Pablo Mayor. Together, they have created “Amalgama and El Barrio Project” and the educational residency Cumbia For Kids/Cumbia For All serving more than 8000 kids in New York City. Resident choreographer and board member of iD Studio theater under the direction of Colombian actor and director German Jaramillo.
Since 2008, Daniel has worked with Native American Choreographer and Pioneer DayStar/Rosalie Jones(Pembina Chippewa-Cree) for her work "Wolf: A Transformation” (Anishinaabe), from whom Daniel has the rights to the piece for the performance, preservation and promotion. Daniel has been a teaching artist with Ballet Hispánico since 2023 and proud to be part of the Latino community of artists and educators in NYC.

Most recent project C.A.V.E.S with world renown dancer Blakeley White-McGuire is touring National and International in collaboration with local dance companies.

Sofia Forero

A native of Cali, Colombia, is a dancer, choreographer, and educator whose work celebrates the transformative power of movement. A graduate with honors from The Ailey School and trained at the Joffrey Ballet School, she currently performs as a Senior Artist with Pajarillo Pinta’o Dance Company, Tumbaga Dance Company, Ajkun Ballet Theatre, and Accent Dance NYC Company. She has performed works by Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Alvin Ailey, Rena Butler, and other leading choreographers.

In 2018, Sofía founded The Heraclitus Project, presenting her choreography at venues such as Sony Music Hall (Times Square), Dixon Place, and Union City PAC. Her work has been commissioned by organizations including the New York Foundation for the Arts, AVA Gallery, the American Swiss Ballet Company, Arts On Site, Théâtre Antoine Watteau, among others. In 2024, she co-produced Mosaïque, an interdisciplinary performance that premiered in Paris, blending dance, music, and visual art to explore the complexity of the human experience.
Sofía is a recipient of the Rauschenberg Dancer Grant and the Cultural Solidarity Fund Grant. She is a certified GYROTONIC® Trainer and Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® Teacher, and she serves as a Teaching Artist with Ballet Hispánico, the YMCA, and Accent Dance NYC. She is also the author of Una Danza Para El Cambio Social, a research-based book inspired by her movement-centered healing work in underserved communities in Colombia. Additionally, she is a member of the International Dance Council (CID UNESCO), the official global organization for all forms of dance.

Ethan Graham

Born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan where he was exposed to urban and street forms of dance throughout his childhood. His fascination with dance started there, and he discovered his true passion for dancing after he met and learned from a multitude of professional artists, like Brian “HallowDreamz” Henry, Valentine Norton, Pierce Cady, Shernita Anderson, Brian Jones and others through the New York Youth Movement Collaborative in 2014 (created by Ehizoje Azeke and Marguerite Hemmings). He received his first dance training through this program. He went on to get a B.A. in Dance through Hunter College, where he was trained in different forms of contemporary, ballet, and hip hop, as well as creating some of his first choreographic pieces. He also trained outside of school in urban and underground techniques, where he solidified his love for krump culture and movement under his mentor Brian Henry. He has continued to train with his teachers in various techniques and is currently a member and choreographer of Violeta Galagarza’s KR3TS Company. Since graduating college, he has been able to be represented by Bloc Talent Agency, work with multiple popular brand organizations, and is currently an inaugural member of the New York Mets “Queens Crew”, where he has the opportunity to showcase his love and passion of streetdance culture.

Javier Granados

A Mexican-American artist born in El Paso, Texas who grew up in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and currently based in Queens, NY. Inspired by his sister, he started to dance in several Mexican Folk groups when he was 11 and was part of musical theatre school productions. Granados obtained a BFA in Dance from Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo in Mexico, graduating with honors. He continued his training on a scholarship with Joffrey Ballet School Texas. He is a First Generation Alumni of Ballet Hispánico Pa’lante SoD Professional Studies, having attended dance intensives such as Complexions Dance Academy and Martha Graham School. Professionally he was an Apprentice with Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández and also participated with Mexico’s Compañía Nacional de Danza for Swan Lake 2018, both in Palacio de Bellas Artes. In the USA he has performed for the Thanksgiving Macy’s Parade 2021, he danced with Nimbus Dance 2, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and Ballet Nepantla. At the same time, Granados has taught and administered in public and private dance schools for five years. In 2025 his choreography "Herencia" opened for the Ballet Hispánico Company during the American Dance Festival. This is Mr. Granados first year as a Teaching Artist with BH Community Arts Program.

Liethis Hechevarria

A Cuban-born professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher specializing in Cuban, Caribbean, and African diaspora dance forms. As a teaching artist with Ballet Hispánico, she brings deep cultural knowledge, artistic excellence, and a strong commitment to community engagement through dance.

With a foundation in traditional and contemporary styles, Liethis creates dynamic, inclusive spaces where students can explore identity, build confidence, and connect with the cultural roots of Latinx and African diasporic traditions. Her work is grounded in rhythm, storytelling, and cultural pride.

She has performed and choreographed internationally and across the U.S., bringing her vibrant artistry to stages, schools, and cultural institutions. Her choreography reflects both her heritage and her commitment to innovation, using movement as a tool for education, empowerment, and healing.
Outside of Ballet Hispánico, Liethis is the founder of Afrocusoul Dance and Wellness, a platform dedicated to preserving and sharing Afro-Caribbean dance traditions while promoting wellness and cultural awareness. Her programs support women, youth, and communities of color through transformative, movement-based experiences.

Liethis believes in the power of dance to uplift, unite, and inspire. At Ballet Hispánico, she continues to share her passion and expertise while advancing the organization’s mission to celebrate Latinx cultures through dance.

Ashlynne Holder-Mosley

Has been dancing since she was 3yrs old at Brooklyn Music School. She first studied Ballet and as the years went on, she added more techniques to her study. Such as Modern dance, Jazz and Tap. At age 12 Ashlynne Joined a junior company at Brooklyn Music School called The Journey Dancers. This Junior company performed at many events in the Brooklyn Area as well as Plymouth Churches annual Halloween show. Later Ashlynne Joined The Fulton Feet Express Tap company directed by Misty Owens. Fulton Feet Express performed around tNY including The Duke on 42nd Street.

Later Ashlynne was accepted into Fiorello Laguardia High School for Music and Art & Performing Arts as a level 2 Dance major. During her senior year in high school, she had the opportunity to dance for Rap Artist Lil Mama, on Chris Brown and Lil Bow wow’s up close and personal tour in 2008. Ashlynne furthered her study and love for hip hop dance and signed up with Bloc Agency in 2009. Since then, she has worked with Artists Such as Ne-yo during the Xbox Kinect release in 42nd street and Brittany Spears for the Twister Dance Rave Commercial. She was accepted on Scholarship at AMDA in 2009.

She has continued to work on her craft and has been teaching various styles of dance and gymnastics to kids and adults since 2017.
Ashlynne has performed and been apart of Soular Dance Collective since 2017 as well, where she has graced the Barclay Center Stage, Fashion Week and other prestigious landmarks and events.

Dustin James

Born in New Orleans and trained at Houston School for the Performing Arts and Houston Ballet. James danced with Smuin Ballet, BalletMet, Sierra Nevada Ballet, Midland Festival Ballet, and is now in his fourth season with Dance Theatre of Harlem. James has performed in the works of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michael Smuin, Stanton Welch, Jiří Kylián Helen Pickett, Ma Cong, Dwight Rhoden, Ulysses Dove, and Robert Garland.

Taylor Lovett

The founder of Taylor Lovett Dance Academy in Brooklyn and has been Ballet Hispánico’s teaching artist since 2021. She teaches a vast variety of Latino American dance styles and concentrates in dance forms that highlight the richness of the Afro-Latino diaspora. Taylor attended Morgan State University and holds a master’s in political science. As part of her dance education, she attended Professional Performing Arts School, LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, and The Ailey School. She has danced with major artists such as Lil Mama and Teyana Taylor and created contemporary and hip-hop pieces for various dance companies, dance schools, and major competitions. She is also an advanced tumbler and gymnast and a proud Brooklyn native.

Carla Martinez

A queer Afro-Latiné performer, educator, and activist from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, whose work lives at the intersection of movement, identity, and community. As a teaching artist, Carla brings a culturally responsive and trauma-informed lens to the classroom, creating spaces where students feel seen, celebrated, and empowered through dance.

Carla’s professional experience spans regional theater, Off-Broadway productions, and commercial campaigns for companies such as Hasbro, BJ’s, and Publix. She specializes in jazz and musical theater, blending technical skills with storytelling and personal expression. Raised as a competitive dancer, she now combines her diverse performance background to create classes centered on joy, heritage, and authentic embodiment.

With a passion for social justice, Carla is committed to creating equitable, inclusive environments where all students feel a sense of belonging. She has taught youth across New York City and nationally, prioritizing BIPOC and underserved communities.

Outside the studio, Carla serves on the national Council of Actors’ Equity Association, advocating for sustainability and inclusion in the arts. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, strength training, spending time with her dog Remy, and scouting the best iced coffee from local shops.

Milerka Rodriguez

A movement artist and ART-repreneur from New York. Music, dance, and writing are the expression tools she uses to find balance living as a Dominican American woman in a complex world. Movement Is Essential To Life, and dance has always been a passion for Milerka. Although she could not take lessons as a child, she found a natural movement listening to Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, and Black-American music in her household growing up, taught herself from online videos, and created unique, choreographed pieces with friends. As an adult, she began taking classes in New York City in studios like BDC & Peridance and later joined New Beginnings Dance Company in New Rochelle led by Kyra Johnson. She continued training in ballet, modern, African, and Afro-Caribbean dance there. Later, she joined Hip-Hop Theory the Company, and Heartbreak Crew where she continued her training in foundational Hip-Hop and storytelling for the stage. Milerka is also a member of Les Ballet Afrik led by the legendary Omari Wiles fusing underground styles like Vogue with traditional African vocabulary and educating the masses about the black & Latinx queer experience. Milerka has performed in places like The Joyce Theatre, Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, Puerto Rico, Riu Jamaica, and has worked with choreographers like Gigi Torres, Jamal Josef, Excel Garner, Tavia & Tamara, and Derek Mitchell. As an educator, she teaches dance to all ages in NY public schools through companies such as Ballet Hispanico and ABT. She travels with gap year organizations like Pizarts teaching in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. As a choreographer, she produces original works exploring humanity with important messages and a purpose-driven agenda. Milerka is on an ongoing spiritual, self-healing, and decolonization journey that informs her work and views on life, and strives to produce work that moves the spirit, transmutes energy, inspires change, spreads messages of love, enlightenments mind, embodies the self, tells important stories, and shows the world that it’s never too late!

Kiefer Rondina

A New York based dancer, teacher and arts administrator. Originally from Cebu City, Philippines, he obtained his BA in Dance Education from Hunter College (Summa Cum Laude). He holds a New York State Initial Certification in Teaching Dance Grades K-12.

As a Flamenco aficionado, Kiefer has studied with various flamenco artists in New York City and Albuquerque notably Soledad Barrio, Sol Koeraus “La Argentinita” and Giselle Assi and has performed at Centro Español de Queens. In 2017, he was a recipient of the Hunter Mellon Arts Fellowship and has taught and worked for arts organizations including Ballet Hispánico and RIOULT Dance Center. Mr. Rondina enjoys teaching young dancers the art of flamenco while continuously training in his flamenco studies.

Mariah "Rye" Soto

A movement artist, choreographer and teacher born & raised in the Boogie Down Bronx. She started dancing and found her passion for dance at the age of 6 years old. She has travelled and performed across various stages throughout her life including Puerto Rico, Miami, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Connecticut and many other local areas in New York. Mariah is a well-rounded versatile dancer who’s trained in hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, salsa, bachata, freestyle & commercial dance. Mariah is now a dance educator for the youth in New York City and she’s been teaching all age groups and levels for 7 years now; working in dance studios, in-school residencies & afterschool programs across the boroughs. Her favorite part of dance is the freedom, expression and joy experienced through movement, allowing for a deeper connection to forge between the body & soul.

Elisa Toro Frank

Professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and bilingual voice actress based in New York City, has astounded audiences worldwide in works that integrate ballet, tango, ballroom, and Middle Eastern styles. She is currently a member of SAG-AFTRA. Elisa performs as a principal dancer with FJK Dance and a featured artist with Accent Dance NYC, Christopher Caines Dance, and Dardo Galletto Dance. With FJK Dance, Elisa traveled on a 31-city tour of China in 2017 and currently performs in the company's annual seasons at New York Live Arts. In 2024, she performed with Dell'Arte Opera Ensemble in the role of Anna II in The Seven Deadly Sins. Elisa also worked as Program Director at Accent Dance NYC (2018-2020).

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Elisa trained with mentors from the Cuban National Ballet School. She trained at the Miami City Ballet School and went on to dance with the Washington Ballet Studio Company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, and the New Jersey Ballet. Currently, Elisa is not only an artist but also a mother, having given birth to her daughter in February of 2025.

Eto'o Tsana

A Harlem native and Afro-Puerto Rican choreographer, dancer, singer, and dance educator. Ms. Tsana has traveled extensively throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, France, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo collaborating, teaching, and performing professionally with renowned Kongolese artists.

Ms. Tsana is the Artistic Director of Mabina Danseuses Dance Company founded in 2011. The company focuses on the principles of cultural performance, humanitarianism, and anthropology from a Kongolese dance and cultural perspective. The company is a direct reflection of Ms. Tsana’s deep-rooted studies, travel experiences, diverse dance training, and multicultural origins. The company’s work aims to challenge the complexities of ‘Our Being’ as displaced children of the Motherland. Ms. Tsana’s knowledge of individual and collective histories, her own self-exploration, and the intellectual and cultural exchanges she’s experienced make her the International Ambassadrice of traditional and urban Kongolese Dance.