RACHEL S. MOORE
As the 2023/2024 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center draws to a close, I want to welcome you to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and thank you for participating in our boldest dance season yet. I am thrilled we are joining together here in The Music Center’s original theatre to witness yet another outstanding dance performance. The location is fitting since we are celebrating our 60th year as L.A.’s performing arts destination, and I can think of no better way to end this daring dance season than with the incredible work of Ballet Hispánico and the story of Doña Perón
This is only the second time we have presented Ballet Hispánico, which is heralded by the Ford Foundation as one of America’s Cultural Treasures. Building on the vision and tenacity of its founder, Tina Ramirez, her passion for dance and her desire to celebrate and preserve the rich tapestry of Latine/Latinx/Hispanic culture, Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro commissioned Doña Perón to uplift the story of a strong, but complicated Latina woman. Our presentation highlights the profound female artistry of an incredibly talented and highly celebrated Latina choreographer, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, whose works we have now had the honor of presenting for the third time. As you will experience, Ochoa brings Evita Perón’s story to life with a blend of passion and precision, capturing the complexity and strength of the Argentinian First Lady. The convergence of these remarkable women—Tina Ramirez, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Evita Perón—through Ballet Hispánico’s powerful performances here at The Music Center, is an homage to female empowerment and artistic excellence. It is a celebration not just of cultural heritage, but of the indomitable spirit of women who have shaped, and continue to shape, the world of dance and beyond.
I hope you will join us for our 22nd dance season, which we launch with Urban Bush Women (November 22–24, 2024) and the company’s first appearance at The Music Center. This is an equally rich and, some say, fearless, dance season, which also includes residencies by Batsheva Dance Company (February 14–16, 2025), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (April 2–6, 2025), Grupo Corpo (May 2–4, 2025) and Boston Ballet’s Swan Lake (June 26–29, 2025). Please visit musiccenter.org for subscription information.
I know you will want to be a part of it!
My heartfelt thanks to the visionary Glorya Kaufman, whose leadership has made it possible for us to experience some of the world’s most talented dance companies, and to Center Dance Arts, founding supporter of Dance at The Music Center, for their passion and dedication to dance in Los Angeles.
Enjoy the performance!
Warmly,
Rachel S. Moore, President & CEO
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Current as of 7/1/24
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Yannick Lebrun. Photo by Dario Calmese.
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Summer SoundWaves featuring Oumou Sangaré.
Photo by Michelle Shiers.
Live at The Music Center: La Marisoul and Eliades Ochoa.
Photo by John McCoy.
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Bollywood. Photo by Will Tee Yang.
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Students strike a pose at The Super Villainz Tap Park on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Photo by Will Tee Yang.
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The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Birthday Bash
Saturday, August 24
In celebration of The Music Center’s 60th year and The Music Center’s Dance DTLA’s 20th birthday, Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center will transform into Club Chandler for The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Birthday Bash, a spectacular, one-night-only evening of music, dancing and vibrant energy under the stars!
To purchase tickets and sponsorships, please contact us at (213) 972-3315 or visit musiccenter.org/birthday
The Music Center Gratefully Acknowledges GLORYA KAUFMAN
Thank you for your extraordinary generosity in bringing dance to our community.
Special Thanks to MARIE H. SONG
The Music Center extends its gratitude to Marie Song for her support of the Ballet Hispánico residency.
Song was born in South Korea and moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of 20 to pursue her dream of owning her own business. She started working in the retail grocery industry in the early 1980s. From there, she and her sister Mimi went on to found Superior Grocers, one of the largest independent supermarket chains in Southern California.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Pablo Picasso
Song loves to travel both internationally and domestically where she is working on visiting all 63 U.S. national parks. She enjoys opera, ballet, Broadway musicals and museums, which are a big focus of her travels.
She is passionate about the arts and education and is a longtime supporter of dance and The Music Center’s Spotlight program for high school students. “The arts are such a big part of my life, and I am happy to give back so that others can have the opportunity to enjoy meaningful arts experiences.”
Center Dance Arts (CDA) is a dynamic community of patrons with a passion for dance. CDA brings dance to life in Los Angeles by promoting The Music Center’s world-class dance performances, extensive arts learning, local dance and free and low-cost experiences, helping ensure that all may know and experience the transformative power of this incredible art form.
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Pictured above: CDA’s Meet The Artists reception with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Interim Artistic Director and Spotlight Alumnus Matthew Rushing, Choreographer Kyle Abraham and featured dancer Ashley K. Green.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Khalia Campbell. Photo by Dario Calmese.
Pictured above (L–R): CDA’s Meet The Artist Reception; Rachel Moore and The Joffrey Ballet’s Artistic Director Ashley Wheater, Composer Ilya Demutsky and Principal Dancer Victoria Jaiani. CDA Backstage Tour with Company Members of the Joffrey Ballet’s Anna Karenina
The Music Center Thanks Center Dance Arts
From all of us at The Music Center, we thank Center Dance Arts members for their unwavering support of dance. We welcome you and look forward to many seasons of dance ahead!
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Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center
BALLET HISPÁNICO
Support for this presentation is provided, in part, by:
Glorya Kaufman Foundation
Moss Foundation
Center Dance Arts
Dorothy Buffum Chandler Program Fund
Elisabeth Katte Harris
The Music Center Foundation
The Music Center Annual Fund
Photo by Rachel Neville.
BALLET HISPÁNICO DOÑA PERÓN
World Premiere: 2022, New York City Center
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Artistic Collaboration by Nancy Meckler
Music by Peter Salem
Costume Design by Mark Eric
Lighting, Set and Video Design by Christopher Ash
Doña Perón was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and by the Perry Granoff New Works Project. Additional support for Doña Perón is provided by Pam Crutchfield and by Univision.
PERFORMED BY
Fatima Andere, Amir J. Baldwin, Mia Bermudez, Leonardo Brito, Antonio Cangiano, Amanda del Valle, Paulo Hernandez-Farella, Francesca Levita , Cori Lewis, Dylan Dias McIntyre, Adam Dario Morales, Amanda Ostuni, Laura Perich, Omar Rivéra, Isabel Robles
Eva “Evita” Perón: Amanda del Valle
Juan Perón: Antonio Cangiano
Young Evita: Laura Perich
Parents and Child: Omar Rivéra and Isabel Robles with Amanda Ostuni
THE DESCAMISADOS
Fatima Andere, Amir J. Baldwin, Mia Bermudez, Leonardo Brito, Paulo Hernandez-Farella, Francesca Levita
Cori Lewis, Dylan Dias McIntyre, Adam Dario Morales, Amanda Ostuni, Omar Rivéra, Isabel Robles
LIVE MUSIC PERFORMED BY
Hector del Curto Band Leader/Bandoneonist
Ahmed Alon Pianist/Conductor
Brian Shankar Adler Percussionist
Sami Merdinian Violinist
Isabel Kwon Cellist
Photo by Nanc Price.
THE ICON
Evita delivers her final speech to The Descamisados. Suddenly, a vision of a young Evita takes us back in time. In this flashback, Evita is faced with her father and his other family. She is forced to relive the rejection and shame she endured in her early years.
ASCENSION
Evita arrives in Buenos Aires and dances seductively with several men, each more powerful than the last. As she climbs the social ladder, she transforms from a simple small-town girl to an elegant star, hungry for more.
HIS MILITARY WORLD
Evita attends a benefit surrounded by Argentina’s powerful military and elite. The vision of the young Evita appears again. Evita rushes to hide her from sight just in time to meet Juan Perón for the first time.
EVITA’S WORLD OF RADIO
Evita’s power increases as her popularity grows on the radio. She is in her element as a voice for the people.
BUILDING PERÓN’S IMAGE
Evita welcomes Juan Perón into her world using her access to radio and prowess as a speaker to rally support around him. As he becomes more powerful, those against him rebel. The attempt to place Perón in political power fails, and Juan Perón ends up in jail.
THE DESCAMISADOS — PERÓN IS FREED
The Descamisados unite and give strength to a struggling Evita. She is emboldened by their calls and rises as an advocate. The support of The Descamisados frees Perón from prison and starts a new chapter of power for the Peróns. They marry, and Evita becomes the first lady of Argentina. As the Peróns’ power grows, they stifle and destroy all opposition.
THE OLIGARCHS REJECT EVITA
Evita tries to blend in amongst Argentina’s oligarchs and aristocracy, all of whom reject her. The vision of Young Evita comforts the humiliated Evita and empowers her.
GATHERING POWER
Evita builds her popularity, giving out shoes to The Descamisados. She calls them to arms and to fight for their rights, acting out against the oligarchs and upper class who rejected and humiliated her.
THE FINAL MOMENT
Succumbing to cancer, Evita dies in the arms of Perón. The Descamisados lead the funeral procession.
THE LEGACY
Evita and The Descamisados are engulfed by the iconography of her life. Evita’s legacy remains. Even in death she is triumphant. 75 minutes, no intermission.
Photo by Paula Lobo.
MORE ABOUT DOÑA PERÓN
DANCE NOTES
The Music Center is delighted to welcome back Ballet Hispánico, the largest Latine/Latinx/Hispanic cultural organization in the United States, with the Los Angeles premiere of Doña Perón, choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The work had its premiere at New York City Center in 2022.
While there are many ballets that tell the stories of women’s lives, most are based on fictional stories. I think of Doña Perón as a “ballet biography,” a genre Lopez Ochoa first explored in 2020 with the creation of Frida, based on the life of Frida Kahlo, which The Music Center had the honor of presenting last season. Hong Kong Ballet premiered Lopez Ochoa’s most recent biographical dance, Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon, earlier this year. Lopez Ochoa collaborated with director/dramaturg Nancy Meckler and composer Peter Salem on all three of these works.
For Doña Perón, Salem composed a contemporary score for instruments that are commonly associated with Argentinian tango. The music is performed live by an ensemble of five musicians who travel with the company.
BALLET HISPÁNICO STAFF & THE COMPANY
Founder Tina Ramirez
Artistic Director & CEO
Eduardo Vilaro
Artistic Associate & Rehearsal Director
Johan Rivera
Ballet Mistress
Anitra Keegan
Chief Managing Director
Patrick Muhlen
The ballet focuses on four main themes of Eva Perón’s life: how her difficult childhood haunted her throughout her life; the love story between Eva and Juan Perón; how she came to be adored by so many people in Argentina; and her battle with cancer, which took her life when she was only 33 years old. The work illustrates how Eva Perón became a controversial icon, was adored by many for championing the rights of the poor and working class and criticized by others for spending lavishly on clothes and luxuries. While she was never an elected official, Eva Perón had a profound and lasting impact on the social and political landscape of Argentina.
Doña Perón is a powerful performance about a compelling story, and I hope you enjoy it.
Martin Wechsler Senior Advisor, TMC Arts Dance Presentations
The Company
Fatima Andere
Amir J. Baldwin
Mia Bermudez
Leonardo Brito
Antonio Cangiano
Amanda del Valle
Daryn Diaz
Ana Estrada
Paulo Hernandez-Farella
Francesca Levita
Cori Lewis
Dylan Dias McIntyre
Adam Dario Morales
Amanda Ostuni
Laura Perich
Omar Rivéra
Isabel Robles
Isabella Vergara
Company Manager
Lauren Evans
Wardrobe Supervisor
Olivia Kirschbaum
Lighting Supervisor
Caitlin Brown
Stage Manager
Alexis Hinman
Audio Supervisor
Brian McCorkle
Head Carpenter
Mac Whiting
BALLET HISPÁNICO
Ballet Hispánico was founded on the principle that everyone deserves dance, quality dance training and innovative performances. In creating the company in 1970, Tina Ramirez shattered a glass ceiling— challenging iconic representations and exposing the joy and celebration to be found in Latinidad. Despite its humble origins, Ballet Hispánico immediately served as a catalyst for people in the Latine/Latinx/Hispanic community, especially for Latino youth, to follow their dreams in the cultural world.
Today, as the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States and one of America’s Cultural Treasures, Ballet Hispánico’s three main programs, the Company, School of Dance and Community Arts Partnerships, bring together communities to celebrate the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas. Ballet Hispánico’s New York City headquarters provides the space and cultural heart for Latine/Latinx/Hispanic dance in the United States. It is a space that expands on Ramirez’s original vision by providing our community the ability to train through dedicated scholarship opportunities, exceptional dance training, inclusive cultural dialogues and exemplary performances. No matter their background or identity, all are welcomed and served by Ballet Hispanico, breaking stereotypes and celebrating the beauty and diversity of Hispanic cultures through dance.
Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as a company dancer in 1985 and became the organization’s second artistic director in 2009 and CEO in 2015. Vilaro is building on Ramirez’s impact: expanding and deepening a legacy of showcasing the depth of our cultures and exposing the intersectionality found in the Hispanic diasporas by focusing on nurturing Hispanic leaders. Through programs like the Instituto Coreográfico, the Latinx Leaders Summit and Diálogos, Ballet Hispánico has become a center for artistic leadership development. As an immigrant himself, Vilaro’s vision of inclusion and cultural revelation has elevated a community from the margins to its place ingrained at the center of the American cultural landscape.
Ballet Hispánico is an ambassador for our community worldwide. The company has now performed for more than 2.5 million people in three continents and all 50 states. The company engages audiences with the work of Latino and Latina choreographers, opens a platform for new cultural dialogue and nurtures inspiring young dancers of all ages. Through its exemplary artistry, Ballet Hispánico champions and amplifies the Latin American experience in the field. As it looks to the future, Ballet Hispánico is committed to continue nurturing artists, teachers, students, arts leaders, families and communities through the power of dance.
by Paula Lobo.
Photo
EDUARDO VILARO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CEO
Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as Artistic Director in August 2009, becoming only the second individual to lead the company since its inception in 1970. In 2015, he expanded his role to include that of Chief Executive Officer. A member of the Ballet Hispánico family since 1985, Vilaro initially contributed as a dancer and educator before founding the Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, where he served as Artistic Director for ten years, establishing a significant record of achievement.
Vilaro has enriched Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s evolving cultural landscape. Born in Cuba and raised in New York from the age of six, he is a prominent advocate and speaker on the merits of cultural diversity and dance education. His choreography is devoted to capturing the spiritual, sensual, and historical essence of Latino cultures. Over his career, Vilaro has created more than 40 works and has received commissions from prestigious entities such as the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Festival, the Lexington Ballet, and the Chicago Symphony. He was honored with the Ruth Page Award for choreography in 2001, and in 2003, he was honored for his choreographic work at Panama’s II International Festival of Ballet.
Vilaro was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2016 and named HOMBRE Magazine’s 2017 Arts & Culture Trailblazer of the Year. In 2019, he received the WESTY Award from West Side Spirit, was honored by WNET for his contributions to the arts, and most recently, and earned the James W. Dodge Foreign Language Advocate Award. In 2022 and 2023, he was featured in Crain’s New York lists of Notable Hispanic Leaders and Notable LGBTQ Leaders, respectively, and was celebrated as one of Forbes’ Kings of Culture, Legends of Business.
In 2024, Vilaro joined the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council of the Meridian International Center based in Washington, DC. Additionally, he received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from his alma mater, Adelphi University, in recognition of his distinguished achievements in learning and the arts.
JOHAN RIVERA ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE & REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Hailing from the colorful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Johan Rivera is the artistic associate and rehearsal director at Ballet Hispánico. His dance training began at the School for the Performing Arts, PR, under the direction of Waldo Gonzalez. Rivera graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA from the New World School of the Arts/University of Florida in 2013 and proudly holds a Master of Arts in Executive Leadership, an achievement he dearly treasures as the first member of his family to have this opportunity. During his tenure as a Ballet Hispánico company member, Rivera originated roles in ballets by visionary choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Pedro Ruiz and Eduardo Vilaro, leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world.
After retiring from the stage, Rivera had the honor of mentoring and directing BHdos, Ballet Hispánico’s second company, before ascending to the role of rehearsal director for the main company in 2017. In 2021, he assumed the role of artistic associate. Now, as the artistic associate & rehearsal director, Rivera engages with diverse communities, celebrating and promoting inclusivity through the joy of movement. He passionately supports the artistic development of the company and the implementation of Ballet Hispánico’s core artistic vision.
ANITRA KEEGAN BALLET MISTRESS
Born in Seoul, Korea, Anitra Keegan is a seasoned dancer and educator who has trained in various prestigious institutions across the globe, including the Royal Academy of Dance in Yorkshire, England, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education. She has performed in both classical and contemporary works for several renowned dance companies, including BalletX, American Repertory Ballet and Ohio Ballet. In addition to her professional career, Keegan has also served as an adjunct ballet faculty member at several esteemed universities, including University of the Arts, Drexel University, Temple University and Princeton University. In addition to her vast experience and expertise in ballet, contemporary dance and education, Keegan also holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. From 2012 to 2018, she held the position of Capezio’s Master Pointe Specialist and traveled the continental United States and Canada as Capezio’s brand ambassador, creating educational events for all Youth America Grand Prix competitions as well as designing custom pointe shoes for premiere ballet companies. In 2018, she joined Nimbus Dance in Jersey City, NJ, as the marketing associate/company manager and was promoted three years later to associate artistic director. Currently, Keegan serves as ballet mistress at Ballet Hispánico.
FATIMA ANDERE DANCER
Fatima Andere (She/Her) is originally from Mexico. Andere moved to Miami, FL at an early age, where she began her training with Artistic Dance Center under the direction of Elizabeth Nuevo and Lissette Lucas. She graduated from Florida State University in 2020 with a BFA in Dance. She has trained with Alonzo King LINES Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory of the Arts, BODYTRAFFIC and Ballet Hispánico’s ChoreoLaB. She joined Dance NOW! Miami for its 2021/22 season where she had the honor of performing works by José Limón, Isadora Duncan and Daniel Lewis. This is Andere’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
AMIR J. BALDWIN DANCER
Amir J. Baldwin (He/Him) is from Trenton, NJ. He received his BFA in Dance from Montclair State University with a minor in American Sign Language. His dance training consists of an eclectic mix, which includes Ballet, Modern, Horton, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Capoeira. Baldwin has worked with choreographers such as Matthew Rushing, Clifton Brown, Frederick Earl Mosley, Helen Pickett, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michelle Manzanales, Omar Román De Jesús and Yusha Sorzano. He has trained in educational facilities over the course of his training such as Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and E.M.I.A. This is Baldwin’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
MIA BERMUDEZ APPRENTICE
Mia Bermudez (She/Her) is from Montclair, New Jersey, and began her dance training on a full merit scholarship at the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, training under the La Academia Pre-Professional Program. At the age of 11, Bermudez was awarded the Nuestro Futuro Merit Scholarship studying ballet, Spanish dance and modern, under the direction of Rodney Hamilton, Michelle Manzanales, Nicole Duffy, Caridad Martinez, Gabriela Granados, and Yvonne Gutierrez. While at Ballet Hispánico, Bermudez has performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Ballet Hispánico’s Performances for Young People at the Apollo Theatre, and annually at the Ballet Hispánico Gala. She has trained at numerous intensive dance programs including Debbie Allen Dance Academy, La Escuela National de Ballet de Cuba, Canada National Ballet School and Ballet Hispánico’s ChoreoLaB. This is Bermudez’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
LEONARDO BRITO DANCER
Leonardo Brito (He/Him) is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and started his training with Projeto Primeiro Passo before training at Escola Estadual de Danca Maria Olenewa, Center of Art Nós da Dança, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Miami City Ballet School and The Ailey School. Brito has performed with companies such as Mariinsky Ballet, Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, Emotions Physical Theater, Dance Theater of Florida, Alvin Ailey and Ailey II. In 2016, Brito was awarded the III Brazilian Modern Dance Congress and has performed works by Robert Battle, Jennifer Archibald, Jae Man Joo, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Amy Hall Garner, Melanie Futorian, Ray Mercer, Bradley Shelver and others. He has also made appearances in Tommy Hilfiger’s Pride Campaign 2019, OUT
Magazine’s May 2019 issue, Hong Kong Dance Magazine’s Sept. 2020 issue, the opening of “Fantástico” 2021 at Globo TV Chanel, Glossier campaigns, the POSE FX Television Series Season 2 and Willy Chavarria’s Safe From Harm film. This is Brito’s fifth season with Ballet Hispánico.
ANTONIO CANGIANO DANCER
Antonio Cangiano (He/Him) is from Naples, Italy. He trained on scholarship from Ateneo Danza, Accademia Normanna and the Martha Graham Dance School in New York City. Cangiano has danced for the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Dardo Galletto Dance, Acsi Ballet, Graham 2 and the Martha Graham Dance Company for its 90th Anniversary Season at New York City Center. In 2017, he was awarded the Rising Star Award from the Italian International Dance Festival in NYC. Cangiano has danced works by world-renowned choreographers such as Martha Graham, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, among others. This is Cangiano’s sixth season with Ballet Hispánico.
AMANDA DEL VALLE DANCER
Amanda del Valle (She/Her) is Cuban-Americanborn and raised in Miami, Florida, where she began her early training with Miami Youth Ballet under the direction of Marielena Mencia and Yanis Pikieris. She continued her training at the New World School of the Arts with Mary Lisa Burns as the dean of Dance. She graduated in 2016 with training in classical ballet, Horton, Limón and the Graham technique. Del Valle then continued her studies at Point Park University where she received her BFA under the direction of Garfield Lemonius. There she had the honor of working with renowned choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald, Jessica Lang, Robert Priore, Christopher
Huggins and Yin Yue. During del Valle’s professional career, she has performed leading roles in works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano and William Forsythe. This is del Valle’s fourth season with Ballet Hispánico.
DARYN DIAZ APPRENTICE
Daryn Diaz (She/ Her) was born and raised in Tampa, FL, and is of Cuban and Spanish descent. She began her training at the Patel Conservatory at an early age. While there, Diaz was part of the pre-professional ballet company of the Straz Center – Next Generation Ballet. Alongside her classical ballet studies, she also trained in contemporary and jazz styles. Diaz has participated in numerous summer programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Centro de Dansa Victor Ullate in Madrid, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Gaga Homelab NYC. In 2019, she joined Ballet Hispánico’s second company, BHdos, where she performed works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Ramon Oller, Vicente Nebrada and others. In 2018, Diaz was inducted into the National Honor Society, and, in 2019, graduated, which was a year early. She is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Leadership & Management at New York University. This is Diaz’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
ANA ESTRADA DANCER
Ana Estrada (She/Her) was born in Hermosillo, Son, México, where she started training with Gabriela Estrada. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance and a BS in Marketing. She has trained in companies such as Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Arizona and Kegwin and Company. Estrada has performed with various dance companies and projects in Mexico and the USA including NYC Opera, Nimbus Dance Works, Broadway Christmas
Wonderland National Tour and Tania Perez Salas Cía. She has toured nationally and internationally and has also been a part of film and television projects such as Amazon Prime’s Ana, the series, and Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu’s new film: Bardo This is Estrada’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
PAULO HERNANDEZFARELLA DANCER
Paulo HernandezFarella (They/ Them) is a first-generation Salvadoran-American from Los Angeles, California. HernandezFarella attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later received a full scholarship at the University of Southern California where they graduated with both a BFA in Dance and a Master’s in Public Administration. Hernandez-Farella has been a scholarship student for a multitude of dance programs such as the Juilliard School Summer Intensive, the Joffrey Ballet’s International Intensive and Alonzo King LINES Intensive. HernandezFarella is also one of seven 2016–2017 dance scholars with Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzyfeet Foundation. During their career, Hernandez-Farella performed the works of Forsythe, Kylián, Duato, Balanchine, Graham, Taylor, Petipa and Lopez Ochoa, to name a few and choreographed their own original work. This is Hernandez-Farella’s sixth season with Ballet Hispánico.
FRANCESCA LEVITA DANCER
Francesca Levita (She/Her) is originally from Chicago, Illinois, where she began her training with Visceral Dance Center under the instruction of Nick Pupillo and Laura Wade. She has attended numerous ballet intensives including BalletMet, American Ballet Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet and several National and International summer intensives including The School at Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Summer Intensive, Orsolina28, BODYTRAFFIC, and Arts Umbrella.
In 2024, Francesca graduated with Honors Summa Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a double concentration in Ballet and Modern dance. At Marymount, Francesca has performed the works of many choreographers including Sidra Bell, Twyla Tharp, Jennifer Archibald, Pedro Ruiz, Earl Mosley, Jenn Freedman, Chanel Desilva, Jamal White, and Darshan Bhuller. This is Francesca’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
CORI LEWIS DANCER
Cori Lewis (She/ Her) was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began training at Lusher Charter School and The New Orleans Ballet Association, and later received her BFA in Dance with a Minor in Mathematics and Computer Science from SUNY Purchase College. She has performed works by Ronald K. Brown, Michelle Manzanales, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Pedro Ruiz and Eduardo Vilaro for children across the greater New York area with Ballet Hispánico’s second company for the 2018 season. This is Lewis’ third season with Ballet Hispánico.
DYLAN DIAS MCINTYRE DANCER
Dylan Dias McIntyre (He/ Him) was born in Key West and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dias McIntyre started dancing at Palm Beach Ballet Center when he was 8-years-old. When he was 16, he moved to Tampa to be a trainee with Next Generation Ballet. After two years, he joined Richmond Ballet to complete his training and then started his professional career with Richmond Ballet’s second company. In 2019, Dias McIntyre became a company dancer with Ballet Memphis where he danced for
three seasons, and he participated in a season with Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance in the summer of 2022. This is Dias McIntyre’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
ADAM DARIO MORALES APPRENTICE
Adam Dario Morales (He/Him) is of Colombian descent, and was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey. He began his training on a full merit scholarship at The Ailey School under the direction of Tracy Inman and Tiffany Barnes at the age of 4-years-old. During his training, he was awarded the “Alvin Ailey Athletic Boy’s Scholarship.” In 2019, Morales was selected to be a recipient of The New York Community Trust Van Lier Fellowship as a student of The Ailey School. Morales then joined Ballet Hispánico’s Professional Studies program as part of the inaugural cohort under the direction of Rodney Hamilton. Morales also had the privilege to star in HBO’s Legendary Season 3. Morales has worked with artists such as Eduardo Vilaro, Norbert De La Cruz III, Tsai-Hsi Hung, Juan Rodriguez, Christian Von Howard, Pedro Ruiz, Tiffany Barnes, Lisa Attles and Adrian Herd. This is Morales’ first season with Ballet Hispánico.
AMANDA OSTUNI DANCER
Amanda Ostuni (She/Her) is from Patterson, New York, where she began dancing at Seven Star School of Performing Arts. She spent 14 years training in ballet (under the guidance of Anita Intrieri), contemporary, jazz, tap and hip hop. In 2019, she attended Butler University, furthering her dance training and education, and graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. She performed roles such as Odette
in Butler Ballet’s performance of Swan Lake, as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Butler Ballet’s The Nutcracker. While she was there, Ostuni had the honor of working with Susan McGuire, training in a hybrid of Cunningham and Graham techniques, as well as working with Jennifer Archibald and Deborah Wingert. This is Ostuni’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
LAURA PERICH VILLASMIL DANCER
Laura Perich Villasmil was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where she began training at the age of three. She then moved to Houston, Texas, where she continued her training with Catriona Steel at Allegro West Academy of Dance. While in Houston, she completed The Royal Academy of Dance Ballet exams and received Distinctions all throughout her training. After graduating, she joined Texas Ballet Theater’s Studio Training Company, completing two full years in the program. In 2021, Perich Villasmil joined Ballet Hispánico’s Pa’lante Scholars Program as part of the inaugural cohort where she had the opportunity to be a guest artist with the main company for Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Doña Perón. She then joined COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet as an apprentice. Perich Villasmil is currently a freelance dancer in the NYC area.
OMAR RIVÉRA DANCER
Omar Rivéra (He/ Him) is a MexicanAmerican originally from Los Angeles, CA. After moving to Dallas, Texas, Rivéra trained at Prodigy Dance & Performing Arts Centre under the direction of Camille Billelo. He graduated from the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Rivéra graduated with a BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona in 2018. While at the University of Arizona, Rivéra performed at The Joyce Theater for the José Limón
International Dance Festival, and danced works by guest artists including Christopher Wheeldon, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Bella Lewitzky and others. This is Rivéra’s sixth season with Ballet Hispánico.
ISABEL ROBLES DANCER
Isabel Robles (She/Her) was born in Arlington, Virginia, and began training in ballet at age 4. At the Classical Ballet Theatre she trained in the styles of ballet, jazz, Horton, Graham, character dance and contemporary forms. Robles was a scholarship student at The Houston Ballet program in 2013 where she performed works of Stanton Welsh, George Balanchine, David Lichine and John Neumeier. During high school, she attended The Washington Ballet, where she worked with Julie Kent and Xiomara Reyes and performed with the company in The Nutcracker. In May 2022, Robles graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Dance. This is Robles’ second season with Ballet Hispánico.
ISABELLA VERGARA DANCER
Isabella Vergara (She/Her) is a multifaceted Mexican-American dancer from Westfield, NJ. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Dance from Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers University in 2018. In 2019, she joined Calpulli Mexican Dance Company where she started training in baile folklórico. Throughout her career, Vergara has been a freelance dancer in the greater New York area, working with companies such as Dzul Dance and Oca Dance. Vergara has been a part of the Ballet Hispánico community since 2018. She attended ChoreoLaB under the Nuestro Futuro Scholarship in 2018 and 2022. She then joined the School of Dance as a faculty member and completed the Pa’lante Scholars Professional Studies Program as part of the inaugural cohort in 2021–2022. This is Vergara’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
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Joanne Takahashi
Peter Taylor
Barbara Augusta Teichert
Roni Tunick
William and Jessica Turner
Leon and Stephanie Vahn
Andrea and John Van de Kamp
Laurie Vender and Stephen Halper
Daniel and Janice Wallace
Thomas Weinberger and Leslie Vermut
Karen and Les Weinstein
Susan and Josh Wieder
Hashim Williams
Leilani J. Wilmore
Bonnie Nash and Donald Wing
Dianna Wong
Beth McGlynn and James Zapp
Susan Zolla
CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND GOVERNMENT
$1,000,000 AND ABOVE
County of Los Angeles
$100,000–$999,999
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
The Getty Foundation
Max H. Gluck Foundation
LA County Department of Mental Health
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
$50,000–$99,999
Bank of America
California Arts Council
Genesis Inspiration Foundation
Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
Superior Grocers
$25,000–$49,999
CA Office of the Small Business Advocate
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
The Capital Group Companies / Michael Stockton
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Honda
KPMG LLP/Greg Geyer
I.N. and Susanna H. Van Nuys Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
The Robert Nelson Foundation
The Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Edward A. and Ai O. Shay Family Foundation
U.S. Bank / Carl Jordan
$10,000–$24,999
Colburn Foundation
Edison International
HUB International Insurance Services, Inc.
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
The Korea Foundation
The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers
Special thanks to our donors who wish to remain anonymous. The Music Center strives to acknowledge all our supporters appropriately. If your name has been misspelled or omitted from this list in error, please contact the Advancement Office at (213) 972-3333.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Lucille Ellis Simon Foundation
Sony Pictures Entertainment
UCLA Health
U.S. Bank Foundation
U.S. Venture-Schmidt Family Foundation
$5,000–$9,999
Central City Association of LA
KLM Foundation
Morrison & Foerster Foundation
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts
Sidney Stern Memorial Trust
$1,000–$4,999
Anthem Blue Cross
Barr Foundation
Bessemer Trust Company, N.A.
Burnand-Partridge Foundation
Chu Gooding Architects, Inc.
Friars Charitable Foundation
Justin Construction
M.J. Hellmuth Plumbing, Inc.
Macy’s MonteCedro
Pro One Stage Productions
SJM Industrial Radio
Sunrise Window Cleaners, Inc.
Thornton Foundation
Whittier Trust Company of California
Photo by John McCoy for The Music Center.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
As a steward of The Music Center of Los Angeles County, we recognize that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh and Chumash Peoples. We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters. We acknowledge that settler colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide and multigenerational trauma. This acknowledgment demonstrates our responsibility and commitment to truth, healing and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these ancestral lands. We are dedicated to growing and sustaining relationships with Native peoples and local tribal governments, including (in no particular order) the:
• Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
• Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council
• Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
• Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
• San Fernando Band of Mission Indians
Janice Hahn Supervisor, Fourth District
Hilda L. Solis Supervisor, First District
Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Third District
Kathryn Barger Supervisor, Fifth District
Holly J. Mitchell Supervisor, Second District
This acknowledgment, however, is empty without our efforts to counter the effects of structures that have long enabled injustice against Native Americans. The Music Center is committed to working with First Peoples to build and sustain partnerships and grow collaborations that engage and respect the knowledge, expertise and agency of First Peoples, past, present and future. The Music Center strives to be a champion of the arts in Los Angeles for all people. We are listening, learning, unlearning, and will evolve in the work ahead.
To learn more about the First Peoples of Los Angeles County, please visit the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission website at lanaic.lacounty.gov
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