Ballet Hispánico Performs Powerful and Emotive Pieces for Hispanic Heritage Month

Strategic Insights -

Ballet Hispánico, the nation's leading Hispanic Latin dance company and cultural institution, performed three powerful and emotive pieces at the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall on October 2, 2025. The performances were a testament to the company's mission to elevate Latinx dancers and choreographers, and to reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Latino community. The three pieces, titled "Buscando a Juan," "Mad'moiselle," and "Club Havana," showcased the company's artistic director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro's vision for exploring the complexities of Latinidad and the experiences of Latino people.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ballet Hispánico's performance of "Buscando a Juan" was based on Juan de Pareja, the only Afro-Hispanic man painted in the 17th century, and was originally created for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Juan de Pareja Exhibition.
  • The piece "Mad'moiselle" was designed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to investigate the multi-faceted identity of Latina women, and featured a bold and powerful performance by dancer Mia Bermudez as the character "Maria."
  • "Club Havana," set in the world of 1950s Cuba, was a lively and theatrical performance that brought the audience into the vibrant world of Latin music and dance.
  • The company's artistic director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro emphasized the importance of exploring the complexities of Latinidad and the experiences of Latino people through his choreography.
  • Ballet Hispánico was founded in 1970 by dancer and National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, and has a long history of elevating Latinx dancers and choreographers.

Statistics:

  • Ballet Hispánico has been touring the country with performances from California and Utah to the Northeastern coast in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
  • The company has a long history of performing in locations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall.
  • "Buscando a Juan" was originally created for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Juan de Pareja Exhibition and features 2 solo dancers, 4 support dancers, and 1 vocalist.
  • "Mad'moiselle" was designed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and features 6 dancers.
  • "Club Havana" features 10 dancers.
  • The company's artistic director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro has been leading Ballet Hispánico since 2014.

Sources:

  • "Ballet Hispánico: Buscando a Juan"
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Juan de Pareja Exhibition
  • Ballet Hispánico's website
  • Eduardo Vilaro's statement on the importance of exploring Latinidad through choreography
  • Tina Ramirez's National Medal of Arts award
  • Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's bio
  • Ballet Hispánico's social media accounts