Hispánico Artistic Director & CEO MAR 22 – 23 / 7:30 PM

THE COMPANY Chris Bloom, Jared Bogart, Antonio Cangiano, Shelby Colona, Raúl Contreras, Melissa Fernandez, Laura Lopez, Jenna Marie, Geena Pacareu, Omar Rivéra, Gabrielle Sprauve, Eila Valls, Dandara Veiga, Lyvan Verdecia

Eduardo Vilaro ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CEO FOUNDER Joshua Preston COMPANY GENERAL MANAGER Johan Rivera REHEARSAL DIRECTOR Diana Ruettiger WARDROBE DIRECTOR Joshua Paul Weckesser DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Stacey Dávila WARDROBE ASSISTANT

Ballet Hispánico salutes Jody and John Arnhold for their visionary leadership and support. Through the generosity of the Arnhold family, Ballet Hispánico will continue to inspire communities around the world for years to come.

MetLife Foundation is the Official Tour Sponsor of Ballet Hispánico

Production Copyright 2019, Ballet Hispánico of New York, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ballethispanico.org

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PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 20 Lobo Paula by | Photo Verdecia & Lyvan Fernandez Melissa ABOUT THE PROGRAM

PROGRAM SOUNDSCAPE INCLUDES: Carla BALLET HISPÁNICO PREMIERE: LÍNEA RECTA Morrison, Cheech & Chong, Julio April 18, 2017, at The Powerful and resonant, Línea Recta Iglesias, Edward James Olmos, explores an intriguing aspect of Gustavo Santaolalla, Michelle The taking of video, audio and : the conspicuous absence Manzanales, Juan Carlos Marin photographs is strictly prohibited. of physical contact between Marin, Ember Island, Mexican Institute of Sound dancers. While maintaining the ABOUT THE ARTISTS integrity and hallmark passion of POEM BY: Maria Billini-Padilla COSTUME DESIGN: Diana Ruettiger Ballet Hispánico, America’s leading the genre, Belgo-Colombian Latino organization, has Annabelle Lopez Ochoa imagines an LIGHTING DESIGN: Joshua Preston PERFORMERS: The Company been bringing individuals and original and explosive movement communities together to celebrate language premised upon the and explore Latino cultures through theme of communication between Special thanks to artists Juan Carlos Marin Marin, Nir Ben-Gal, dance for nearly 50 years. Whether the sexes and performed to an dancing on stage, in school or in original guitar composition by and Noemi Gasparini, for this original recording of “Chiles the street, Ballet Hispánico creates Eric Vaarzon Morel. a space where few institutions are : Annabelle Lopez Verdes” and to Maria Billini for her original poem, “Con Brazos breaking ground. The organization’s Ochoa founder, National Medal of Arts MUSIC: Eric Vaarzon Morel Abiertos.” “Creep” by Radiohead used with recipient Tina Ramirez, sought to COSTUME DESIGN: Danielle Truss give voice to the Hispanic LIGHTING DESIGN: Michael Mazzola permission from Warner/ Chappell and Sony/ ATV. experience and break through WORLD PREMIERE: November 18, stereotypes. Today, Ballet 2016, at the Apollo Theater WORLD PREMIERE: April 18, 2017 at The Joyce Theater Hispánico is led by Eduardo Vilaro, Línea Recta was commissioned in an acclaimed choreographer and part by the Apollo Theater and INTERMISSION former member of the Company, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. whose vision of social equity, cultural identity and quality arts INTERMISSION 3. CATORCE DIECISÉIS One of the leading voices of education for all drives its programs. Ballet Hispánico, a CON BRAZOS ABIERTOS Mexican , Tania Pérez-Salas draws inspiration from role model in and for the Latino Michelle Manzanales explores with community, is inspiring creativity humility, nostalgia, and humor the the number Pi to reflect on the circularity of our movement and social awareness in our iconic Mexican symbols that she neighborhoods and across the was reluctant to embrace as a through life. With intense theatricality and breathtaking country by providing access to arts Mexican-American child growing education. up in Texas. Intertwining folkloric imagery set to music by Vivaldi details with a distinctly and other Baroque composers, 3. Catorce Dieciséis is a joyful EDUARDO VILARO contemporary voice in dance, (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR set to music that ranges from feast for the senses. CHOREOGRAPHY: Tania Pérez- & CEO) joined Ballet Julio Iglesias to rock en español, Hispánico as Artistic Con Brazos Abiertos is a fun Salas MUSIC: Marin Marais, Girolamo Director in August and frank look at a life caught 2009, becoming between two cultures. Frescobaldi, A. Vivaldi, Francois Couperini, and Giovanni Batista only the second CHOREOGRAPHY: Michelle person to head the company since Manzanales Pergolesi. COSTUME DESIGN: Amanda Gladu it was founded in 1970. In 2015, ARTISTIC COLLABORATION: Mr. Vilaro took on the additional Ray Doñes LIGHTING DESIGN: Bob Franklin PERFORMERS: The Company role of Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispánico. He has been part

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 21 ABOUT THE ARTISTS of the Ballet Hispánico family since dance companies in Miami, Florida. MICHELLE MANZANALES 1985 as a dancer and educator, During his tenure with the Ballet (CHOREOGRAPHER CON BRAZOS after which he began a 10-year Hispánico Company, Johan had the ABIERTOS) is a choreographer and record of achievement as Founder pleasure of performing the dance educator originally from and Artistic Director of Luna Negra of choreographers such as Houston, TX. She began working Dance Theater in Chicago. Mr. Vilaro Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Gustavo with Eduardo Vilaro in 2003 as a has infused Ballet Hispánico’s Ramírez Sansano, Pedro Ruiz, and dancer for his company, Luna Negra legacy with a bold and eclectic Eduardo Vilaro. In addition, he was Dance Theater of Chicago, where brand of contemporary dance that a vital member of Ballet Hispánico’s she became Rehearsal Director in reflects America’s changing cultural Education & Outreach teaching 2006 and served as Interim Artistic landscape. Born in Cuba and raised team while on tour and at home Director 2009-2010. In 2007, in New York from the age of six, he in NYC. Johan had the honor of Manzanales created Sugar in the is a frequent speaker on the merits mentoring and directing second Raw (Azucar Cruda) for LNDT, of cultural diversity and dance company BHdos for the fall of 2016 which was applauded by the education. Mr. Vilaro’s own before taking over as Rehearsal Chicago Sun-Times as “a staggering, choreography is devoted to Director for Ballet Hispánico’s beautiful, accomplished new work.” capturing the spiritual, sensual and main company. Johan holds an In 2010, her homage to Frida Kahlo, historical essence of Latino MA in Executive Leadership from Paloma Querida, was hailed as a cultures. He created over 20 ballets Liberty University. “visual masterpiece” by Lucia for Luna Negra and has received Mauro of the Chicago Tribune and commissions from the Ravinia ANNABELLE LOPEZ OCHOA was described by the Sun-Times as Festival, the Chicago Sinfonietta, (CHOREOGRAPHER LÍNEA RECTA) a “gorgeously designed, richly the Grant Park Festival, the has been choreographing since hallucinatory, multi-faceted vision Lexington Ballet and the Chicago 2003 following a 12-year dance of the artist.” “This dance isn’t Symphony. In 2001, he was a career in various contemporary just about one girl’s experience; recipient of a Ruth Page Award for dance companies throughout it applies to everyone, of any choreography, and in 2003, he was Europe. She has created works on gender, and of any culture,” honored for his choreographic 50 companies worldwide including said CriticalDance of Manzanales’ work at Panama’s II International Ballet Hispánico, , Con Brazos Abiertos (2017). Festival of Ballet. In 2016, he was , Compania inducted into the Bronx Walk of Nacional de Danza, Dutch National TANIA PÉREZ-SALAS Fame. Mr. Vilaro was awarded Ballet, , Royal (CHOREOGRAPHER 3. CATORCE HOMBRE Magazine’s 2017 Arts & Ballet of Flanders, Ballet du Grand DIECISÉIS) was born in Mexico City. Culture Trailblazer of the Year. Théâtre de Genève, Göteborg She obtained her first significant Ballet, , BJM-Danse recognition in 1993, when she JOHAN RIVERA Montréal, , received the award for best female (REHEARSAL , performer in the National Dance DIRECTOR) was born , , Competition of Mexico. Since then, in San Juan, Puerto and Les Grands she has won national and Rico. He began his Ballets Canadiens, to name a few. international recognition as both dance training at the In 2012, her first full length work, a dancer and choreographer, School for the A Streetcar Named Desire, originally including the National and Performing Arts, PR, under the created for , Continental Prizes for Choreography direction of Waldo Gonzalez. Johan received the Critics’ Circle National in Mexico and the sixth Paris graduated Magna Cum Laude with Dance Award for “Best Classical International Dance Competition, his BFA from the New World School Choreography” and was nominated among others. In 1994, Pérez-Salas of the Arts in 2013. While there, for the prestigious Olivier Award for founded the Tania Pérez-Salas he had the opportunity to perform Best New Dance Production the Compañía de Danza. The company the works of Robert Battle, following year. has been invited to perform her Kyle Abraham, Peter London, work in some of the most important Daniel Lewis, Merce Cunningham theaters and festivals in Mexico, and Doris Humphrey, as well as the United States, Canada, South simultaneously working with local America, China, the Middle East and

22 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Europe. Her work is based on JARED BOGART is SHELBY COLONA is universal themes, which she originally from a 2013 graduate of presents from unique angles. Crystal River, FL, The Ailey School’s For example, a satire on and recently Certificate Program. technology, informs Biography of graduated with a In 2011, she Desire (Biografia del Deseo); the B.F.A. in Dance from graduated from dimensions of death and life are Jacksonville The High School for inherent in Visitor (Visitante); University. He spent his early years the Performing and Visual Arts femininity in The Hours (Las Horas); training at his parents’ dance (HSPVA) in Houston, TX. Shelby has love and sensuality in Anabiosis; school. He has trained during the had further training with Alonzo water, with its infinite power of summers at the Orlando Ballet King LINES Ballet, Perry-Mansfield conveying metaphors and images School, Archcore40, Florida Dance and Complexions Contemporary in The Waters of Forgetfulness Masters and Florida Dance Festival. Ballet. She has performed works by (Las Aguas del Olvido); or reviving While in Jacksonville, Jared worked Robert Battle, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, literary texts as in Clodia, the with artists such as Jennifer Muller, Peter Chu, Nicholas Villeneuve, Impudent (Clodia la Impúdica). Robert Moses, Jennifer Archibald Billy Bell, Loni Landon and has and Stephanie Martinez. Jared is performed with companies such as CHRIS BLOOM is very excited to start his first season Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, from Fredrick with Ballet Hispánico. Lunge Dance Collective, and BHdos County, VA where before joining Ballet Hispánico. he began dancing at ANTONIO the Blue Ridge CANGIANO was RAÚL CONTRERAS Studio for the born in Naples, Italy. is originally from Performing Arts and He began his dance Monterrey, MX. the Vostrikov Academy of Ballet. training at age He has trained at Chris graduated summa cum laude sixteen and was Escuela Superior de from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. awarded Música y Danza de program in 2012. In 2011, he joined scholarships from the following Monterrey, the Parsons Dance as an apprentice dance academies: Ateneo Danza Martha Graham School and and continued to perform with (Forli), Accademia Normanna Generation IV Dance. Contreras Parsons as a guest artist for two (Naples), and the Martha Graham was an apprentice for Ballet years while also dancing with Lydia Dance School in New York City. Metropolitano de Monterrey for the Johnson Dance, Thang Dao Dance Cangiano has danced for the Nai-NI 2011-2012 season and was invited Company, VonUssar DanceWorks, Chen Dance Company, Dardo to be part of Metamorphosis Dance 360° Dance Theatre and the Galletto Dance, Acsi Ballet, and Collective’s Shanghai Residency in Peridance Contemporary Dance Graham 2. In 2014, he made his first 2017. Contreras has shown an Company. Chris joined Ballet appearance at the Italian outstanding development as a Hispánico in 2013 and has had the International Dance Festival dancing teacher, choreographer and pleasure of originating roles in new in a homage to Luigi, the “master of artistic director for Universidad works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, jazz,” by Dianna Folio, and received de Monterrey’s Dance Group, Edgar Zendejas, Miguel Mancillas, the Festival’s Rising Star Award in winning several dance competitions Fernando Melo, Michelle Manzanales, 2017. In 2016, he was selected to in Mexico and the United States. Gustavo Ramírez Sansano and dance at the Martha Graham Dance He also taught in Tec de Monterrey, Eduardo Vilaro. In addition, he has Company’s 90th Anniversary Season Urban Dance Community performed in Nacho Duato’s Jardi at New York City Center. Since Monterrey, as well as The Dance Tancat and as Don José in Gustavo 2015, Cangiano has been a guest Revolution, the biggest dance Ramírez Sansano’s CARMEN.maquia. teaching artist at many Italian convention in México, as a special dance schools to teach modern guest. Contreras has also worked dance. with renowned choreographers such as Edgar Zendejas, Miguel Mancillas and Alicia Sánchez, among others.

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MELISSA where she received her B.F.A. in GEENA PACAREU is FERNANDEZ is from Dance from the University of from Tarragona, Miami, FL, and Florida. Lopez has danced Spain, where she received her early professionally with Complexions trained at Artemis training from Contemporary Ballet and Ballet Dansa and Caridad Espinosa, Hispánico’s BHdos. Throughout her graduated from the Mencia-Pikieris dance career, she has attended Royal Conservatory School of Dance and New World summer programs at Exploring of Dance Mariemma in Madrid. School of the Arts, where she Ballet with Suzanne Farrell, Miami She has won numerous prizes at graduated summa cum laude in City Ballet, Alonzo King Lines Ballet internationally renowned dance 2008. In 2012, Fernandez went on and Jacob's Pillow. Lopez has contests, such as Les Espoirs to earn her B.F.A. in dance from the had the privilege of dancing the de la Danse and The National Juilliard School, where she works of Eduardo Vilaro, Annabelle Confederation of Dance in France. performed works by Sidra Bell, Alex Lopez Ochoa, Robert Moses and Before graduating, Pacareu was Ekman, Nacho Duato and Jerome many more. accepted as a full-time trainee at Robbins, among others. Fernandez Ajkun Ballet Theatre in New York was selected as a JENNA MARIE was City and was promoted to Company finalist in The National YoungArts born in Philadelphia, artist in 2012. A year later, she Foundation competition in 2008, PA. She began her joined Parsons Dance under the and was featured in the HBO series dance training at direction of David Parsons, where Master Class. In 2016, Fernandez Olga Kresin's she performed repertory from had the joy of being presented Ballet School and choreographers such as David beside her Ballet Hispánico later attended Parsons, Robert Battle and Trey colleagues in Lincoln Center at The Philadelphia High School for McIntyre, and taught all over United the Movies: Great American Dance the Creative and Performing Arts. States, Europe and Latin America. Series, where she performed lead As a scholarship student, she Pacareu has worked as a dancer/ roles in works by Gustavo Ramírez trained at The Ailey School and has model for the 2015 W/F Studio Sansano and Pedro Ruiz. Currently, participated in a number of dance collection of OYSHO, Voice of Fernandez is in her seventh season competitions including the Youth Insiders, and Lois Greenfield’s with Ballet Hispánico and is America Grand Prix, where she Breaking Bounds 2018 Calendar. excitedly looking forward to was featured in the documentary marrying her partner on stage and First Position, the Barcelona OMAR RIVÉRA off, Lyvan Verdecia, in the summer International Dance Competition (APPRENTICE) is of 2019. and the Tanzolymp Danz Festival. originally from Jenna has worked for artists such Los Angeles, CA. LAURA LOPEZ as Beyoncé, Romeo Santos, After moving to (APPRENTICE) was Nile Rodgers and Betsey Johnson. Dallas, Texas, Omar born and raised in She has been featured in Dance trained at Prodigy Miami, FL, where Magazine and Pointe Magazine, and Dance & Performing Arts Centre she began dancing has performed as a guest artist under the direction of Camille at the age of three with Zest Collective and The Black Billelo. In addition to training at at Patricia Penenori Iris Project. Jenna was a member Prodigy, he graduated from the Dance Center. She attended New of Ailey II under the direction of prestigious Booker T. Washington World School of the Arts High Sylvia Waters and Troy Powell. High School for the Performing & School where she continued her She was also a member of Visual Arts (HSPVA) under the dance training in ballet and Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, direction of Lily Cabatu Weiss modern. Lopez was a 2013 Young Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and was a part of HSPVA’s dance Arts finalist and was nominated as a The Metropolitan Opera and ensembles Repertoire Dance Presidential Scholar. In April 2016, MOMIX. This is Jenna Marie's third Company I & II, where he she graduated New World College, season with Ballet Hispánico. performed a variety of works

24 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE ABOUT THE ARTISTS choreographed by national leading EILA VALLS is performed at events such as Vibe artists including Robert Battle and originally from Competition (Montana/US), Desmond Richardson. Soon after, Spain and graduated Assamblé International (Toronto/ Rivéra attended the University of from El Real Canada), Harlem Arts Festival and Arizona-School of Dance, under the Conservatorio the Ailey Spirit Gala (New York/US). direction of Jory L. Hancock on Profesional de She has had the opportunity to scholarship and graduated with a Danza (The Royal work with names such as Charla B.F.A. in Dance in 2018. Throughout Professional Dance Conservatory) Gen, Robert Battle, Caridad his years at the University of “Mariemma” in Madrid, Spain in Martinez, Claudia Zaccari, Jean Arizona, Rivéra was one of eight 2010. She is the winner of the Emille, Ray Mercer, Raul Candal men selected to perform at Virginia Valero extraordinary award and Melanie Futorian. The Joyce Theater for the José in Madrid, and the first place winner Limón International Dance Festival of the international competition LYVAN VERDECIA and danced works by guest artists Certamen de Dansa Ciutat de was born in Havana, including Christopher Wheeldon’s Barcelona (Barcelona City Dance Cuba. He graduated The American, Darrell Grand Contest), through which she was from the National Moultrie’s Boiling Point and Bella awarded a full scholarship to the Ballet School of Lewitzky’s Meta4, among others. Peridance Certificate Program and Cuba in 2013 and The Joffrey Ballet. Since she moved joined the ranks of GABRIELLE to New York in 2011, she’s had the the National Ballet of Cuba through SPRAUVE was born privilege to work with Peridance December 2014, where he in Queens, NY, and Contemporary Dance Company, developed as a dancer and raised in Savannah, performing repertory by choreographer. He has had the GA. During her high choreographers such as Igal Perry, opportunity to participate in school years, Dwight Rhoden, Ohad Naharin and festivals and has won gold and Sprauve attended Sidra Bell, among others. She has bronze medals at international Savannah Arts Academy for the also danced under the direction of competitions. He has shared the performing arts and participated in Manuel Vignoulle, Brice Mousset stage with Carlos Acosta in his programs at Alvin Ailey American and Yesid Lopez, and has worked Tocororo and with Viengsay Valdes Dance Theater and The Martha as a dancer/model for Adidas, in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Graham School. She went on to Nike and Under Armour. Celeste. In 2017, Verdecia was Marymount Manhattan College, awarded a Princess Grace Award where she earned her B.F.A. degree DANDARA VEIGA in Dance. in Dance under the direction of was a scholarship Katie Langan in 2017. Sprauve has student at The Ailey Headshots by Paula Lobo Photo of Antonio Cangiano performed at the American Dance School in 2016/17. by Gustavo Mirabile Guild, the 92nd Street Y’s Fridays She started her at Noon Series and The Martha dance training at Graham Company’s University Projeto Social Partners Showcase. She has also Primeiros Passos (Brazil), before performed works by Larry Keigwin, training as a scholarship student at Alexandra Damiani, Norbert De La Escola de Dança Ballerina (Brazil), Cruz, Paul Taylor, Darrell Grand Studio Margarita Fernandez Moultrie, Adam Barruch and (Argentina), Opus Ballet (Italy) and Jo Strømgren. This is Sprauve’s Annarella Academia De Ballet e second season dancing nationally Dança (Portugal). Dandara has and internationally with Ballet participated in dance festivals all Hispánico. around the world and received scholarships with San Francisco Ballet and . She has

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