Instituto Coreográfico gives a voice to young artists and opens access to the dance-making process for all audiences.
When Ballet Hispánico was founded nearly 50 years ago, Latinx artists were invisible to the dance field. Since its founding, Ballet Hispánico has played an instrumental role in changing the narrative - now, generations of Latinx artists have produced art that reinterpret their heritage, bringing fresh perspectives on the Latinx experience. In 2010, Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro launched Instituto Coreográfico, a choreographic institute for Latinx artists to create culturally specific work in a nurturing learning laboratory of dance. The choreographer in residence is paired with an emerging filmaker to document their process, create promotional materials, and add a layer of artistic collaboration.
Instituto Coreográfico also invites dance patrons to respond, reflect, and enter into cultural dialogue with the artists about dance and culture in a safe, critical environment at a work-in-progress showing during the choreographer’s residency. With this invaluable platform, Ballet Hispánico continues to give a voice to young artists and opens access to the dance-making process for all audiences.
Instituto Coreográfico: Showcasing Michelle Manzanales
In her new work, Michelle Manzanales takes on the powerful Mexican visionary Sor Juana, who was a 17th century nun, self-taught scholar and acclaimed writer of the Latin American colonial period and the Hispanic Baroque.
Choreographer
Michelle Manzanales is a choreographer, dedicated dance educator of 30 years, and co-founder of the Latinx Dance Educators Alliance. The Director of Ballet Hispánico's School of Dance since December of 2016, Michelle previously led the organization's professional company as Rehearsal Director & Artistic Associate for seven seasons. Ms. Manzanales is committed to creating an environment where all students are inspired to explore movement, feel supported in their individual dance journeys, and draw meaningful connections between dance and their lives.
Read more about Michelle here.
Instituto Coreográfico with Omar Román De Jesús
Thursday September 15, 2022.
Choreographer Román De Jesús (Bayamón, Puerto Rico) is devoted to education and has experience teaching workshops and master classes all over the world for dancers, non-dancers, and children on the Autism Spectrum. His great work around the world has awarded him prominent global recognition.
Major funding for Instituto Coreográfico was provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional funding from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
"As a dancer here back in the 80s, I could count on my hand the number of Latinx choreographers that would come through the door…[Instituto Coreográfico] is a way of nourishing, mentoring, and developing leaders and artists of color, in particular Latinas and Latinos."
-Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO
Be Notified When Applications Open!
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Previously Selected Choreographers for Instituto Coreográfico
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Omar Román De Jesús, 2022
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Marielis Garcia, 2021
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Ramón Oller, 2019
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Maria Barrios, 2019
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Bennyroyce Royon, 2018
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Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, 2018
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Carlos Pons Guerra, 2017
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Stephanie Martinez, 2016
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Fernando Melo, 2015
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Michelle Manzanales, 2015
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Miguel Mancillas, 2014
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Rosie Herrera, 2013
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Abdul Latif, 2012
