PA’LANTE PROGRAM
PA’LANTE SCHOLARS, APPRENTICES & TRAINEES
PROGRAM DATES: SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 - May 23, 2026
The Pa’lante Program: Elevating the Next Generation of Dance
The Pa’lante Program is the Ballet Hispánico School’s premier full-time, daytime training initiative, encompassing Pa’lante Scholars, Apprentices, and Trainees. Designed for dedicated dancers, this exclusive program provides intensive training in ballet and contemporary techniques while immersing students in Ballet Hispánico’s renowned repertory. With numerous performance opportunities, Pa’lante dancers refine their artistry under the guidance of esteemed faculty and industry professionals.
The Pa’lante Scholars train tuition-free, while the Apprentices and Trainees participate in a tuition-based program with partial scholarships and tuition assistance available. With limited enrollment, this program is open to dancers of all backgrounds, offering an unparalleled opportunity to train in an elite setting.
For over fifty years, Ballet Hispánico has been a launching pad for aspiring dancers, nurturing talent and providing a pathway to the world’s foremost stages. As the professional division of La Academia, the Pa’lante Program continues this legacy, offering full-time training that embodies the Ballet Hispánico School’s distinctive methodologies and commitment to artistic excellence.
PA'LANTE SCHOLARS
The Pa’lante Scholars initiative is an innovative, tuition-free professional studies program designed to bridge the gap between the pre-professional and professional stages of a dancer’s career. Ballet Hispánico is answering the need for more career centered programs that build artistry and leadership for our communities, without the financial burden often tied to professional development.
We believe that a talented young dancer should never be held back by financial strain. Removing the financial barrier to professional training will in turn ensure young dancers can pursue artistic careers without the burden of debt. The impact of this vision will be reflected as dancers are better able to flourish in their artistic careers.
Now in its third year, the Pa’lante Scholars program has launched dancers into Ballet Hispánico’s professional Company and other dance companies. Pa’lante Scholars have joined Ballet Hispánico, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Nimbus Dance Works, Neville Dance Theater, Coredance Contemporary Dance, and more.
PA'LANTE APPRENTICES & TRAINEES
Expand Your Training. Elevate Your Future.
Following the overwhelming success of the Pa’lante Scholars tuition-free program, the Ballet Hispánico School has expanded its offerings with the Pa’lante Apprentice and Trainee programs—broadening access to its renowned training model. These new tracks provide ambitious dancers with world-class training, individualized mentorship, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in a professional dance environment.
The highly competitive Pa’lante Scholars program continues to award 100% tuition-free training, exclusive performance opportunities, and invaluable company experience. Meanwhile, Pa’lante Apprentices and Trainees receive the same rigorous training, with access to partial scholarships and reduced tuition. All Apprentices and Trainees train alongside Scholars, participate in rehearsals, and may be considered for performance opportunities. Additionally, outstanding students from both programs may have the opportunity to take class with the Company.
The Pa’lante Program is designed to bridge the gap for dancers who may not have had access to early legacy training, providing a structured, full-time schedule that mirrors the demands of a professional career. Dancers train from 9 AM to 5 PM in a hybrid model of classes, rehearsals, professional development, and specialized training, preparing them for the realities of a professional dance career.
This immersive experience cultivates artistry and technical excellence through Ballet Hispánico School’s accredited, comprehensive curriculum. Students refine their skills in classical ballet, multiple contemporary styles, pointe work, partnering, repertory, and conditioning, while also exploring specialty classes in hip-hop, salsa, and flamenco. The program extends beyond technique, offering professional seminars in career planning, dance history, financial literacy, audition strategies, and networking.
With personalized coaching and mentorship from program directors and Ballet Hispánico’s artistic leadership, the Pa’lante Program empowers the next generation of dancers with the tools, training, and opportunities needed to thrive on the world’s stages.
Pa’lante Program dancers gain invaluable stage experience through performances at Ballet Hispánico’s black box theater, community events, and special engagement programs. As part of their training, students also perform in the School of Dance’s annual Winter Showcase in February and Spring Performances.
Select dancers may have the opportunity to work with choreographers on new creations and repertory, further refining their artistry in a professional setting. Additionally, exceptional students may be considered for special performance and touring opportunities as they arise, providing real-world experience that prepares them for the demands of a professional dance career.
DAY-TO-DAY & SAMPLE SCHEDULE
A Comprehensive Full-Time Training Experience
Dancers in the Pa’lante Program train Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, immersing themselves in an intensive curriculum that emphasizes ballet and contemporary techniques. Each day includes rigorous technique classes, repertory rehearsals, and opportunities to work with acclaimed choreographers on new creations.
Program participants may also be invited to take class with the world-renowned Ballet Hispánico Company, gaining firsthand experience in a professional setting. Additional artistic exchange opportunities further enrich the training experience, providing dancers with invaluable insight and preparation for a career in the field.
TESTIMONIALS
"The PS Program offers real life tools to aspiring dancers. Not only am I receiving great training and practice learning famous works, I also get personal feedback on my resume, artistic statement and advice on how to reach out to companies.
This program has opened my eyes to the versatility in dance. While I did value training in other styles it wasn’t until we were learning [repertory] that I realized how much taking other dance styles will influence my ability to pick up and perform choreography.
You learn so much in so little time and are exposed to real life opportunities that will help inform your future dancing positions. Those who are looking to become professional this is a great bridge between training to working professionally."
- Payton Poole, Pa’lante Scholar ‘22, she/her/ella
"This program has taught me how to balance life and dance. It has also taught me how to make that leap from student to professional by having workshops on how to write emails, make resumes, being in professional settings and balance my diet. I was also taught a lot more about my Spanish background and how to celebrate my culture through dance. I've never been more proud to represent the Hispanic community through my movement.
This program has helped me embrace my Hispanic culture by exploring multiple styles of dance such as Flamenco, Salsa, Bomba, Afro-Latin, Latin Jazz and learning repertoire from the Ballet Hispánico Company. I now look at my movement from a perspective that is proud to be Hispanic and being able to express my culture through the movement.
My highlight has been having the opportunity to rehearse and perform in Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa's Doña Perón as Little Evita. Being in the same room as the [Ballet Hispánico] company has opened my eyes to how I'd like to be represented in the studio and working with such an amazing choreographer has inspired me in unimaginable ways."
- Laura Perich, Pa’lante Scholar ‘22, she/her/ella
The Pa'lante Scholars Program is made possible through the transformative generosity of MacKenzie Scott. Major Program support is provided by RBC Foundation USA and the Miranda Family Fund, with funding for the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance provided by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation. We are also grateful to the William Randolph Hearst Foundation/The Hearst Foundations; and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and Chelsea Factory for their past support of BH dance education and the Pa’lante Scholars, respectively.