Pa'lante In the Rep
December 14-16, 2023
Eduardo Vilaro
Artistic Director & CEO
Michelle Manzanales
Director, School of Dance
Rodney Hamilton
Associate School Director
Cecilia L. Cáceres-Ntiamoah
Associate School Director
Pa'lante Dancers
Mia Bermudez
Pa'lante Scholar
Alekzeta Cantu
Pa'lante Scholar
Michelle Di Muccio
Pa'lante Scholar
Jalyn Gill
Pa'lante Scholar
Erin Gonzales
Pa'lante Scholar
Gabriel Hewitt
Pa'lante Scholar
Mariano Hurtado
Pa'lante Scholar
Bria Vainqueur
Pa'lante Scholar
Emma Johnson
Pa'lante Trainee
Isabel Moreno
Pa'lante Trainee
Alessandra Salazar
Pa'lante Trainee
Aria Rathle
Pa'lante Trainee
Kylie Rohrbach
Pa'lante Trainee
Siria Chapman
Pa'lante Apprentice
School of Dance Staff
Michelle Manzanales
Director, School of Dance
Rodney Hamilton
Associate School Director
Cecilia L. Cáceres-Ntiamoah
Associate School Director
Nicole Duffy
Programs Advisor, Pre-Professional Upper Division & Professional Studies
Melissa Castañeda
Programs Advisor, Pre-Professional Lower Division & Adult and Enrichment Programs
Georgina Greenleaf
Programs Advisor, Early Childhood & Open Programs
Brianna Figueroa
Registrar
Doreen Miranda
Accounts & Scholarship Manager
Glory Walsh
Production Coordinator
Stephanie Echavarria
Education Wardrobe Supervisor
Jalyn Gill
Administrative Assistant
Javier Granados
Administrative Assistant
Oceana Hinds-Zemanian
Administrative Assistant
Saul Joseph
Videography
Production
Production Director
Adrian White
Production Associate
Brittany Coyne
Lighting Supervisor
Special Thanks to: Gabrielle Sprauve and Chris Bloom for their help in restaging the works for the performances.
Nicole Duffy and Anitra Keegan for their assistance in the rehearsal process of these shows.
Production Copyright 2023, Ballet Hispánico of New York, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Program is subject to change.
The taking of video, audio and photographs is strictly prohibited.
Program
Thursday, December 14 at 7:00pm
Danzón (2009)
Excerpt
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Music by Paquito D'Rivera
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Michelle Di Muccio, Alessandra Salazar, Bria Vainqueur, Emma Johnson, Aria Rathle, Siria Chapman, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
Initially evolved from Haitian contradance, the Danzón has been called the official dance of Cuba. Eduardo Vilaro has taken this traditional and quintessentially Cuban dance form and reinvented it with contemporary language to construct a joyous celebration of music and movement.
PAUSE
Sombrerísimo (2013)
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Artistic Collaboration with Ray Doñes
Music by Banda Ionica featuring Macaco el Mono Loco, Titi Robin, and soundscape by various artists.
Costume Design by Diana Ruettiger
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Alessandra Salazar
Inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats, Sombrerísimo references the iconic sombreros (hats) found throughout the world that help to represent culture. Originally choreographed for an all-male cast, Sombrerísimo has evolved into a work that can also be performed by an all-female or mixed-gender cast.
PAUSE
3. Catorce Dieciséis (BH Premiere 2017)
Excerpt
Choreography by Tania Pérez-Salas
Music by Marin Marais, Girolamo Frescobaldi, A. Vivaldi, Francois Couperini, and Giovanni Batista Pergolesi
Lighting Design by Bob Franklin
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
One of the leading voices of Mexican contemporary dance, Tania Pérez-Salas draws on inspiration from the number Pi to reflect on the circularity of movement through life. With intense theatricality and breathtaking imagery set to music by Vivaldi and other Baroque composers, 3. Catorce Dieciséis is a joyful feast for the senses.
PAUSE
Bury Me Standing (1998)
Excerpt
Choreography by Ramón Oller
Music by Lole Y Manuel: Traditional gypsy melodies and flamenco music
Costume Design by Willa Kim
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Bria Vainqueur, Isabel Moreno, Aria Rathle, Kylie Rohrbach, Alessandra Salazar, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
The unique culture of the Gypsy or "Roma" people, a marginalized community that has journeyed across continents for thousands of years, inspire Spanish choreographer Ramón Oller to create Bury Me Standing. The compelling rhythms and melodies which accompany the ballet reflect the emotional essence of the Roma: their strong communal bonds, sensuality, feelings of oppression and longing, and their strength and exuberance.
Friday, December 15 at 7:00pm
Danzón (2009)
Excerpt
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Music by Paquito D'Rivera
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Alekzeta Cantu, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Emma Johnson, Isabel Moreno, Siria Chapman, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado, Kylie Rohrbach
Initially evolved from Haitian contradance, the Danzón has been called the official dance of Cuba. Eduardo Vilaro has taken this traditional and quintessentially Cuban dance form and reinvented it with contemporary language to construct a joyous celebration of music and movement.
PAUSE
Sombrerísimo (2013)
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Artistic Collaboration with Ray Doñes
Music by Banda Ionica featuring Macaco el Mono Loco, Titi Robin, and soundscape by various artists.
Costume Design by Diana Ruettiger
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Alessandra Salazar
Inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats, Sombrerísimo references the iconic sombreros (hats) found throughout the world that help to represent culture. Originally choreographed for an all-male cast, Sombrerísimo has evolved into a work that can also be performed by an all-female or mixed-gender cast.
PAUSE
3. Catorce Dieciséis (BH Premiere 2017)
Excerpt
Choreography by Tania Pérez-Salas
Music by Marin Marais, Girolamo Frescobaldi, A. Vivaldi, Francois Couperini, and Giovanni Batista Pergolesi
Lighting Design by Bob Franklin
Performed by
Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Erin Gonzales, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado, Bria Vainqueur, Isabel Moreno, Aria Rathle, Kylie Rohrbach, Alessandra Salazar
One of the leading voices of Mexican contemporary dance, Tania Pérez-Salas draws on inspiration from the number Pi to reflect on the circularity of movement through life. With intense theatricality and breathtaking imagery set to music by Vivaldi and other Baroque composers, 3. Catorce Dieciséis is a joyful feast for the senses.
PAUSE
Bury Me Standing (1998)
Excerpt
Choreography by Ramón Oller
Music by Lole Y Manuel: Traditional gypsy melodies and flamenco music
Costume Design by Willa Kim
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Bria Vainqueur, Isabel Moreno, Aria Rathle, Kylie Rohrbach, Alessandra Salazar, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
The unique culture of the Gypsy or "Roma" people, a marginalized community that has journeyed across continents for thousands of years, inspire Spanish choreographer Ramón Oller to create Bury Me Standing. The compelling rhythms and melodies which accompany the ballet reflect the emotional essence of the Roma: their strong communal bonds, sensuality, feelings of oppression and longing, and their strength and exuberance.
Saturday, December 16 at 1:00pm
Danzón (2009)
Excerpt
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Music by Paquito D'Rivera
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Alekzeta Cantu, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Emma Johnson, Isabel Moreno, Siria Chapman, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado, Kylie Rohrbach
Initially evolved from Haitian contradance, the Danzón has been called the official dance of Cuba. Eduardo Vilaro has taken this traditional and quintessentially Cuban dance form and reinvented it with contemporary language to construct a joyous celebration of music and movement.
PAUSE
Sombrerísimo (2013)
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Artistic Collaboration with Ray Doñes
Music by Banda Ionica featuring Macaco el Mono Loco, Titi Robin, and soundscape by various artists.
Costume Design by Diana Ruettiger
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Alessandra Salazar
Inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats, Sombrerísimo references the iconic sombreros (hats) found throughout the world that help to represent culture. Originally choreographed for an all-male cast, Sombrerísimo has evolved into a work that can also be performed by an all-female or mixed-gender cast.
PAUSE
3. Catorce Dieciséis (BH Premiere 2017)
Excerpt
Choreography by Tania Pérez-Salas
Music by Marin Marais, Girolamo Frescobaldi, A. Vivaldi, Francois Couperini, and Giovanni Batista Pergolesi
Lighting Design by Bob Franklin
Performed by
Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Erin Gonzales, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado, Bria Vainqueur, Isabel Moreno, Aria Rathle, Kylie Rohrbach, Alessandra Salazar
One of the leading voices of Mexican contemporary dance, Tania Pérez-Salas draws on inspiration from the number Pi to reflect on the circularity of movement through life. With intense theatricality and breathtaking imagery set to music by Vivaldi and other Baroque composers, 3. Catorce Dieciséis is a joyful feast for the senses.
PAUSE
Bury Me Standing (1998)
Excerpt
Choreography by Ramón Oller
Music by Lole Y Manuel: Traditional gypsy melodies and flamenco music
Costume Design by Willa Kim
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Bria Vainqueur, Isabel Moreno, Aria Rathle, Kylie Rohrbach, Alessandra Salazar, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
The unique culture of the Gypsy or "Roma" people, a marginalized community that has journeyed across continents for thousands of years, inspire Spanish choreographer Ramón Oller to create Bury Me Standing. The compelling rhythms and melodies which accompany the ballet reflect the emotional essence of the Roma: their strong communal bonds, sensuality, feelings of oppression and longing, and their strength and exuberance.
Saturday, December 16 at 6:00pm
Danzón (2009)
Excerpt
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Music by Paquito D'Rivera
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Michelle Di Muccio, Emma Johnson, Siria Chapman, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado, Bria Vainqueur, Mia Bermudez, Aria Rathle, Alessandra Salazar
Initially evolved from Haitian contradance, the Danzón has been called the official dance of Cuba. Eduardo Vilaro has taken this traditional and quintessentially Cuban dance form and reinvented it with contemporary language to construct a joyous celebration of music and movement.
PAUSE
Sombrerísimo (2013)
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Artistic Collaboration with Ray Doñes
Music by Banda Ionica featuring Macaco el Mono Loco, Titi Robin, and soundscape by various artists.
Costume Design by Diana Ruettiger
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Alessandra Salazar
Inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats, Sombrerísimo references the iconic sombreros (hats) found throughout the world that help to represent culture. Originally choreographed for an all-male cast, Sombrerísimo has evolved into a work that can also be performed by an all-female or mixed-gender cast.
PAUSE
3. Catorce Dieciséis (BH Premiere 2017)
Excerpt
Choreography by Tania Pérez-Salas
Music by Marin Marais, Girolamo Frescobaldi, A. Vivaldi, Francois Couperini, and Giovanni Batista Pergolesi
Lighting Design by Bob Franklin
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Michelle Di Muccio, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
One of the leading voices of Mexican contemporary dance, Tania Pérez-Salas draws on inspiration from the number Pi to reflect on the circularity of movement through life. With intense theatricality and breathtaking imagery set to music by Vivaldi and other Baroque composers, 3. Catorce Dieciséis is a joyful feast for the senses.
PAUSE
Bury Me Standing (1998)
Excerpt
Choreography by Ramón Oller
Music by Lole Y Manuel: Traditional gypsy melodies and flamenco music
Costume Design by Willa Kim
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Performed by
Mia Bermudez, Alekzeta Cantu, Michelle Di Muccio, Jalyn Gill, Erin Gonzales, Bria Vainqueur, Isabel Moreno, Aria Rathle, Kylie Rohrbach, Alessandra Salazar, Gabriel Hewitt, Mariano Hurtado
The unique culture of the Gypsy or "Roma" people, a marginalized community that has journeyed across continents for thousands of years, inspire Spanish choreographer Ramón Oller to create Bury Me Standing. The compelling rhythms and melodies which accompany the ballet reflect the emotional essence of the Roma: their strong communal bonds, sensuality, feelings of oppression and longing, and their strength and exuberance.
About the School of Dance Professional Studies Pa'lante Program
The Pa'lante Program is Ballet Hispánico's full-time, daytime training program which includes Pa'lante Scholars and Pa'lante Trainees. The Pa'lantes study and train under the unique Ballet Hispánico model and train in ballet and contemporary, learn Ballet Hispánico repertory, and have many performance opportunities. The Pa'lante Scholars study tuition-free and Pa'lante Trainees are a tuition-based program. Partial scholarships and tuition assistance are available. This exclusive program has limited enrollment and is open to all dancers of all backgrounds.
For over fifty years Ballet Hispánico has been a plaform for Hispanic, Black and Brown youth to find their dreams in the dance world. We have made it our mission to shine a spotlight on these talented young dancers, uplifitng their voices and ultimately creating a central place for them on the world's foremost stages. As the professional division of La Academia, the Pa'lante Program will offer all students the opportunity to study full-time uner the unique Ballet Hispánico training model and methodologies.
Empowering Youth
Ballet Hispánico's School of Dance serves members of its community through formative dance training, reaching children to young adults across the socioeconomic spectrum and at all levels of training. At the heart of its mission, Ballet Hispánico provides dozens of young dancers with merit and need-based scholarships that are individually tailored to fit the needs of each students. Scholarships are critical to filling the gap in dancers of color on the world's stages, creating not only a pipeline of talent for the professional dance sector, but also infusing long-neglected communities with artistic resources ensuring underserved voices are both celebrated and magnified. Together with your support, Ballet Hispánico can continue providing excellent dance education to countless young people for years to come.
Ballet Hispánico Staff
Executive
EDUARDO VILARO, Artistic Director & CEO
Patrick Muhlen, Chief Managing Director
Grace Azmitia, Executive Assistant
Company
Lauren Evans, Company Manager
Johan Rivera, Artistic Associate and Rehearsal Director
Adrian White, Production Director
Regina Rizzo, Director of Costumes
Olivia Kirschbaum, Wardrobe Supervisor
Caitlin Brown, Lighting Supervisor
Morgan Lemos, Stage Manager
Brian McCorkle, Audio Supervisor
School of Dance
Michelle Manzanales, Director, School of Dance
Cecilia L. Cáceres-Ntiamoah, Associate School Director
Rodney Hamilton, Associate School Director
Nicole Duffy, Programs Advisor, Pre-Professional Upper Division & Professional Studies
Melissa Castañeda, Programs Advisor, Pre-Professional Lower Division, Adult and Enrichment Programs
Doreen Miranda, Accounts & Scholarship Manager
Georgina Greenleaf, Programs Advisor, Early Childhood & Open Program
Glory Walsh, Production Coordinator
Brianna Figueroa, Registrar
Jalyn Gill, Administrative Assistant
Oceana Hinds-Zemanian, Administrative Assistant
Javier Granados, Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Echevarria, Education Wardrobe Supervisor
Community Arts Partnerships
Tamia Santana, Chief Engagement and Inclusion Officer
Natalia Mesa, Community Engagement Director
Taylor Lovett, CAP Teaching Artist & Events Assistant
Development Office
Andrea Puente-Catán, Director of Development
Mariah Schwarz, Associate Director, Institutional Development
Ellie Craven, Associate Director, Individual Giving
Ashley Heckstall, Event Manager
Bella Pansera, Development Assistant
Marketing Office
Veronica Villalpando, Director of Marketing and Communications
Martín Acuña, Marketing Manager
Madison Daniels, Communications Coordinator
Finance
Fredrick V. Pandian, Chief Financial Officer
Nora Perez, Finance Manager
Mary Burns, Finance Controller
Operations
Richard Felipe, Director of Operations
Lynn Shipley, Operations Associate
Dustin James, Front Desk Rececptionist
Katherine Magno, Front Desk Receptionist
Andrew Nelson, Front Desk Receptionist
Kaysha Smith, Front Desk Receptionist
Daniel Chico, Handyman - Day Shift
MIL GRACIAS
The Pa'lante Scholars program is made possible by the transformative generosity of MacKenzie Scott. Major support is provided by the Miranda Family Fund, and by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. Funding for the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance is provided by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation/The Hearst Foundations.
Transformational funding for Ballet Hispánico is provided by the Ford Foundation America’s Cultural Treasures program, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Major support is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation, the Scherman Foundation, the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation, the Tatiana Piankova Foundation, the Prospect Hill Foundation, the Mosaic Network and Fund in The New York Community Trust, the Mid Atlantic Arts Regional Resilience Fund, and the Harkness Foundation for Dance. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Ballet Hispánico programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
