Organization History and Background

From the passionate fury of flamenco to tango’s forbidden heat, the polished elegance of classical ballet to the earthen power of modern dance, the Latin Ballet of Virginia uses the expressive beauty of movement in its many forms to weave the tales and traditions that are the heart and soul of Hispanic culture. Bringing the culture and history of Spain and Latin America to passionate life through the joy of dance, the Latin Ballet combines technical excellence with a soulful depth of emotion and an unwavering commitment to education, diversity and accessibility.

The Mission of the Latin Ballet of Virginia is to preserve and promote the Latin American and Spanish cultures, by teaching and performing professionally for diverse audiences in North and South America. We strive to connect with minority groups, educate those less fortunate, and spread the joy and love of life, through the common language of dance. The Philosophy of the Latin Ballet is “Spread the Joy and Happiness through the Beauty of Dance.” 

Founded in 1997, in Richmond, Virginia, under the direction of Colombia, South America native, Ana Ines King, the Latin Ballet of Virginia is one of the area’s pre-eminent Hispanic dance company. Mrs. King has over twenty years of experience teaching, directing and performing in South America and the United States. The company is comprised of twelve professional dancers from throughout the world, ten professional musicians and twenty-five students that perform as the Junior and Little Company. The company has been performing since its inception throughout Virginia, and at select venues in North and South America.  Productions have benefited the children in Cartagena, Colombia; Zacatecas, Mexico; the Make a Wish Foundation; the Children’s Hospital; and children with special and financial needs in Richmond.

The Latin Ballet of Virginia professional repertoire includes full-length story ballets which combine history, literature, and culture with a variety of dance forms, music, lights and costumes.  The Company also provides professional training to its dancers and students and enhances the community by offering high quality educational programs including those detailed in this proposal.

 Awards and Recognition

Our educational program, Be Proud of Yourself, has been extremely effective at all schools and received the Jane J. Baskerville Award 2004 for the best community educational program for the Chesterfield County Public Schools.

The LBV training for teachers for the Be Proud of Yourself and the Arts in Educational programs has received an A+ evaluation from the Virginia Start With The Arts and the North Carolina Arts in Education programs.

The Riverside School for children with special needs have reported that 60% of the students increased their academic achievement.

PBS showcased the Latin Ballet with the program of “Danza & Passion” in 2006.

The Soul of Virginia Magazine spotlighted the Latin Ballet as “Dancing to a New Beat in Virginia” in 2006.

The Richmond Woman Magazine showcased Ana Ines King as “Coffee, Flowers and Ana, Colombia’s Finest Exports” in 2005.

The Richmond Magazine named Ana Ines King as an editor’s pick “20 Richmonders We Love” most affection for her boundless energy for her art and community in 2007.

Style Magazine named Ana Ines King as one of the “25 most influential artists in Arts and Culture” in Virginia 2007 & 2008.

                    Board of Directors
Ana Ines King, William Alfred King, Evelia Margarita Porto, Antoinette Essa, Valerie W. Caperton, Rafael E. Barragan, Dhol E. Tuason, Ricardo J. Nunez, Jo-Ann Payamps-Santos, Jose G. Andueza, Parrish Mort, Brigitte Betancourt Sotolongo, Beth Astruc and Joanne Richardson

Chair of the Board: Jose G. Andueza,

Junior Company

Andreina Andueza, Rebeca Astruc, Mary Petrizzi, Audra Shreve, Aishu Sriram, Michelle Welch, Hanna Wirth.

Little Company

Ana Astruc, Leslie Goldin, Yasmeen Johnson, Madison Lowerre, Cassandra Martinez, Lauren Mort, Savanah Norvell, Laura Pearson, Jaliah Richardson, Antonio Maceo Betancourt Sotolongo, Marisol Betancourt Sotolongo, Skilar Washington

Musicians

Kevin Davis & Ban Caribe Ensamble (Music Director - Educational Program Assistant) Master percussionist, composer and singer, Kevin Davis began his career with the Drum and Bugle Corps in New York City. Influenced by the popular music of Sam Cooke, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri, Kevin performed with many world music ensembles throughout New York City. After studying abroad in the islands of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, he relocated to Virginia to complete his formal education at Virginia State University, His love for Caribbean music led him to the creation of Ban Caribe Ensemble in 1984. Kevin teaches drums and percussion at the Latin Ballet. He also plays for the Dance classes at the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

Ram Bhagat & Drums No Guns, (Guest Artist) Ram has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the Virginia State University and a Bachelor in Science in Biology Education from VCU. He is the director of Drums No Guns a performing arts organization that promotes youth non-violence. He utilizes the power of rhythm to strengthen individuals and communities and inspire youth to build self-confidence and promote creative expression. He created the educational program Science and Artistic Perception that incorporates drumming, drama and dancing into the Chemistry curriculum.

Mario Duque (Composer) received a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the Instituto de Bellas Artes in Medellín. He also found time to participate in the Conservatory of Rionegro during his college years. Dedicating himself more to the production and composition area of his field, Mario founded and directed the group Los Rebeledes for 27 years. For Macondo, he has extracted the most profound meaning from the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. He has translated this meaning into musical notes, bringing with it a warm and tropical message that, in a mysterious and magical way, is being represented through music and dance.

David Robinson (Flamenco Guitar, Composer) has a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Master of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University. David has performed in master classes conducted by William Kannengeiser, Paul Galbraith, Jesus Silva, Kevin Vigil, Dennis Koster and Sergio Assad. He has studied privately with Simon Dinnegan, John Dearman and Lily Afshar. He performs for special events as a soloist and together with his wife Kathy Robison in the Robinson Guitar Duo. Mr. Robinson has composed works for the Latin Ballet of Virginia and the VCU guitar ensemble. He is currently the director of guitar studies at The Collegiate School. David also teaches at the VCU Community School of Performing Arts and Guitar Works.

Kathy Robinson has been playing guitar for most of her life. Kathy has her Bachelors of Music in guitar performance and a Masters of Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She currently directs the orchestra and guitar programs at Manchester and Lloyd C. Bird High Schools in the Chesterfield County Public Schools as well as teaching at VCU. She has performed in master classes for such guitar masters as Jesus Silva, Emanuelle Segre, Leo Kottke, Elliot Fisk, Sharon Isbin, Manuel Barrueco and Sergio and Odair Assad. This summer Kathy was a featured soloist in VCU’s “Guitar and Other Strings” series. She has studied abroad at the Sienna Summer Music Institute in Sienna Italy and at the Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado.

Marc S. Langelier, (Bass Recorder, Bass Ocarina) Is an accompanist for the VCU department of Dance and Choreography and the Richmond Ballet. He studied Composition, Electric Bass and Synthesis at VCU. Utilizing the haunting melodic sounds of the Bass Recorder, Native American Flute, Bass Ocarina, Moceno, and EWI, Marc performs both solo, and in collaboration with other artists. He is a composer for modern dance and has been commissioned by many faculty and student choreographers including Chris Burnside, Judith Steele, Myra Daleng, Vicki Fink, and Kaye WeinsteinGary, as well as the Starr Foster Dance Project.

Frank Eugene Rourk, (Flamenco guitarrist) the son of Nicaraguan immigrants, was born in Washington, D.C. He lived in spain from 2004 to 2007. While residing in Spain he pursued his interest in the flamenco guitar studying at the Cristina Heeren Foundation for the Art of Flamenco, he also studied privately with the maestros Jose Luis Balao, Ricardo Modregro, and Jose Jimenez “el Viejin.” He has performed in many different cities including Madrid, Seville, New York, Washington D.C., and Prague. Frank Currently resides in Ricmond.

Artistic Director

Ana Ines King, Founder, and Artistic Director of the Latin Ballet of Virginia, holds a B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography from the Instituto de Bellas Artes of Colombia, South America. Mrs. King has over twenty years of experience teaching, directing and performing in South America and the United States. In Colombia, South America, Mrs. King founded and was Artistic Director of the Santander Jazz Ballet from 1985 to 1995. She was awarded “Best National Choreographer” for “One Hundred Years of Solitude” in Colombia, SA and her choreography of “Annie” for Televisa, Mexico was awarded Best Children’s Film of the Year. Mrs. King was awarded “Hispanic Woman of the Year 2002” for services to the community, by AT&T Broadband & CNN en Español in Virginia. In 2004 she received the Jane Baskerville Award for the best community education program for World Languages in Chesterfield County Public Schools in Virginia and in 2005 was named Best Artists in Residency for Multicultural programs, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina by the North Carolina Arts Council. Mrs. King teaches Flamenco, Latin American and Caribbean dances and Latin Jazz for the Latin Ballet of Virginia and for Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Dance and Choreography.

 Professional Dancers and Faculty

Will Sterling Walker, began his dance training at the age of 14, at the Chamber Ballet in Williamsburg, VA. He went on to receive the Artist Merit Award from the Virginia School of the Arts, and was a Regional Dance America scholarship recipient. He trained with the Contemporary Ballet Theater, Allegheny Ballet Company, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Will danced professionally with the Richmond Ballet Company for four years, and the Starr Foster Dance Project for one year. He is a certified Zumba instructor and teaches Ballet, Jazz and Techno Hip-Hop at the School of the Latin Ballet and the Henrico Center for the Arts HS. Will is the Latin Ballet’s Junior Company Director.

LaWanda Raines, received a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mrs. Raines has taught studio curriculum for Richmond City Dance Program. She also teaches and develops, outreach classes for after school programs and early childhood development. She performed and toured with Fred Ho Big Red Media Company in New York City. She is a certified Zumba and Gymnastics instructor. She teaches Dance Theater, Hip Hop, Capoeira and Latin Jazz. She is the director of the Latin Ballet’s Junior Company.

Rosana Barragan, a Colombia, S.A. native, has a BA in Mass Communication from Javeriana University in Colombia, and received a full scholarship to pursue an MA in Dance Studies and Choreography, from the Laban Centre London, England, where she graduated with Academic Distinction. She has been dancing and choreographing professionally with the Santander Jazz Ballet, Colombia, S.A., Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, the Laban Center International, and throughout London, Spain, Portugal, France, USA, and S.A. Her works have been chosen to represent London and Colombia in various International Festivals. She is an instructor and the assistant for special education programs.

Alfonso Meoleake Jones (Monte) received a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. Meoleake started dancing at age 8 and studying Capoeira under Cobran Mansa. He has worked with Ron K. Brown and Marleas Yearby in New York City, and has also created his own work in Washington DC and New York City. He has also appeared in numerous Hip- Hop and R&B music videos. He has performed with the Latin Ballet of Virginia for seven years. Meoleake teaches Capoeira and Hip Hop at the School of the Latin Ballet.

Annielille Gavino Kollman, was born in the Philippines. She started dancing at an early age of five at The Philippine Ballet Theatre and danced professionally with Powerdance Philippines. She furthered her studies at The Ailey School in New York and danced with several NY based choreographers namely Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Nina Buisson and Freddie Moore. She also danced for distinguished companies such as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and Dallas Black Dance Theater. She has danced works by Alonzo King, Alvin Ailey, Ron Brown, Elisa Monte, Donald Mc Kayle, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Wynn, Katherine Dunham and many others. Annie is a member of the Latin Ballet’s professional company.

Maria Dolores (Dhol) Tuason, was born in the Philippines. Dhol has studied various forms of dance since childhood. She specializes in Tango Argentino and Latin American social dances. She has also studied Modern and Lyrical dance at Ingrid’s Dance Theater. She graduated with a BS in Nursing and works at Cardiac Surgery ICU at MCV. Dhol is the co-director and founder of the Healing Planners. She is a certified Zumba instructor, a member of the LBV Board of Directors, instructor and dancer.
Stephanie Socia studied Ballet at the Richmond Ballet, the Concert Ballet of Virginia and The Governor’s School for the Arts. Stephanie also graduated with a BS in Nursing, Cum Laude, from MCV. Stephanie is the co-director and founder of the Healing Planners; she is a member of the LBV professional Company.

Kevin LaMarr Jones is a dancer, graphic designer and graduate of the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Business Administration. He serves as a soloist, choreographer and chaplain with the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church Ayinde Dance Ensemble and is an active member of the Richmond dance community, valuing the lively interactions he shares with Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, Scottish Country Dancers of Richmond, Amaranth Contemporary Dance and Ground Zero Dance Company through their classes and performances. As a participant in the 2006 and 2007 Urban Bush Women Summer Institutes, a Dance and Choreography major at Virginia Commonwealth University and a company member with the Latin Ballet of Virginia, he endeavors to build cross-cultural community through dance and artistic expression.

Tracy Johnson, has a bachelor of Exercise Science degree and has been teaching fitness classes for over a decade. Tracy has also studied African/Caribbean dances, Flamenco, Latin American dance and culture and Belly Dancing. She is the creator of “Soulsa”, a unique style that combines Hip Hop, Funk and Afro-Latin Dances. She has made numerous community based projects for children through local schools, recreation and parks and colleges.

Melissa Phillips, started her ballet training with the Chamber Ballet of Corvallis, in Oregon. At the age of 16 she became a principal dancer with Rainbow Dance Theatre in Oregon, a dance troupe that performed Modern, West African, Haitian dance, and Hip Hop. She went on to dance at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Melissa is a yoga-alliance certified yoga teacher at the 200-hour level. She is an instructor of yoga, ballet and hip hop as well as a member of the professional company.

Daina Cockrell began training at the Northumberland School of Dance with Kay Hearton. Her extensive studies include American Dance Festival at Duke, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond Ballet, Omega Institute, the Boulder Jazz and Aerial Dance Festivals in Colorado, Broadway Dance Center and Steps in New York. Daina also studied dance with a former company member of Pilobolus and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. Daina is the director of the Charisma Dance Theatre, where she dances together with Rodney Williams. She holds a B.A. in Holistic Ministries and is currently completing her Masters. Daina is a certified instructor in Scott Pilates and Zumba. She is currently dancing and teaching with the Latin Ballet of Virginia

Allison LaNeave studied dance at Virginia Commonwealth University and with the Richmond Ballet. She has worked with such artists as Scott Putman, Chris Burnside, and Tommy Parlon and danced with Ground Zero Dance. She is certified in children dance education from New York. Currently, she dances professionally and teaches Ballet for the Latin Ballet of Virginia.

Alex Miegel is currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), majoring in Dance and Choreography. He began dancing at a young age in his hometown of Fairfax, Virginia. While at VCU he has had the pleasure of performing in other students’ projects. He also performed in VCU faculty member Dr. James Frazier’s Suspect Seven which was shown at the Black College Dance Exchange in 2005 and American College Dance Festival in 2006. He attended the American Dance Festival in the summer of 2007 held in Durham, North Carolina. He is scheduled to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Choreography in May 2008.

Amanda Garrison, currently a senior in the VCU dance department began her dance training at age 3 in Grants Pass, Oregon. At age 10, she began her ballet training from Lisa Lorie Krueger while living in Okinawa, Japan. After moving to Jacksonville, North Carolina at age 12, she had the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. She also participated in 3 summer intensive programs at The Kirov Academy of Ballet in D.C., Dance Place in Charlotte, North Carolina and Orlando Ballet in Florida. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree in dance from the University of Oregon

Nadine Azoulay, started dancing at the age of 3 in England. She has studied classical Ballet, Character Dance and Flamenco in Otawa Ontario, School of Dance and in Netherlands, Holland where she joined the Royal Conservatory for Dance and Music, in The Hague. Nadine completed her high school in contemporary dance and music at The HAVO for Dance and Music, in Rotterdam. Back in the USA She danced with the Washington School of Ballet performing for Septime Weber’s Nutcrackers. She is currently a dance and choreography major and a minor in Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. This is her first season with the Latin Ballet of Virginia

Guest Artists

Frances Wessells has been involved in dance and theater all her life. After receiving her MA in dance from New York University, she taught Modern dance at Sweet Briar College, then Westhampton (now University of Richmond) then VCU where she still teaches improvisation. For 25 years, she was the dance critic for the Richmond Times Dispatch. She has choreographed a total of 30 major musicals for local theaters including Theater Virginia, Swift Creek Mill, Barksdale, Ft. Lee and Dogwood Dell. She has performed in New York City and Colorado with Hanya Holm’s Dance Company and with various other companies including her own. Frances has three sons, two grandsons and two great grandsons.

Rebecca Wilson, Dancer, choreographer and professor of Flamenco. She started studies of Flamenco with her mother Nancy and from the age of 10 she has performed with her dance troupe, Nancy y Las Majas. She studied in Spain with Alicia Coral, Manolo “El Greco” and world-renown dancer and choreographer Jose Galvan. She retuned to the U.S. Rebecca now teaches Flamenco and gives lecture/demonstrations at Old Dominion University and various other venues.