ABOUT
The Latin Ballet of Virginia (LBV) was founded in 1997 in Richmond, Virginia under the direction of Ana Ines King, a native of Colombia. LBV is a professional dance company and school of dance, providing multicultural dance programs, instruction and performances for a diverse community. The Company is Central Virginia’s pre-eminent Hispanic dance company, performing throughout the State and at select venues in North and South America. It was incorporated as a 501(c) 3 organization in 2000. LBV offers a wide variety of weekly classes in 2 dance schools taught by 13 faculty members. Over the years, LBV has built a company of 11 professional dancers from around the world, featuring 6 professional musicians, and mentoring 25 apprentice dancers. LBV enrolls approximately 400 students of all ages per year, conducts 5 professional dance productions annually, supports 85 long term residencies and 120 short residencies, and presents master classes and lecture demonstrations.
The Original Latin Ballet of Virginia Company
MISSION
To enrich and connect communities through Latin/Hispanic cultural dance experiences with a commitment to education, diversity and accessibility.
For Virginians of all ages and backgrounds who want to enrich their cultural knowledge and experiences, the Latin Ballet of Virginia connects the community to Latin culture and vitality through dance. Latin Ballet of Virginia offers inclusive instruction and inspired performances through a premier, culturally-diverse dance experience.
AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
The Latin Ballet’s educational programs have received numerous awards and distinctions in the communities where LBV operates. For instance, LBV won the Jane Baskerville Award for the best community education program for World Languages in Chesterfield County Public Schools, Virginia and Best Artists in Residency for Multicultural programs, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The Dance Teacher international magazine reported the Latin Ballet as one of the only three arts organization in the US offering an English as a Second Language program. Ana Ines King and the Latin Ballet received the 2011 Theresa Pollack award of Artist in Excellence in “Dance”. The YWCA recognized Ana Ines King as their 2015 Outstanding Women of the Year Honoree in Arts citing her “leadership and unwavering commitment to the community in bringing the arts in education programs to children and families”. Also in 2015, the documentary of the Latin Ballet’s original production, El Pintor, won a Bronze Telly Award. The Telly Awards honor the best videos, films, and outstanding local, regional, and cable TV programs in the United States.
Ana Ines King received The Bridge Builder in the Arts award from the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in October 2015. In 2016, the Library of Virginia recognized and celebrated women's accomplishments in all walks of life with the annual Virginia Women in History program. This program honors eight women, past and present, who developed new approaches to old problems, strove for excellence based on the courage of their convictions, and initiated changes in their communities, state, and nation that continue to affect our lives today. Ana Ines King was chosen as one of the eight honorees. In 2017, Ms. King received Style Weekly's Women in the Arts Award.
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 to weave the tales and traditions that are the heart and soul of Hispanic culture. The Latin Ballet of Virginia (LBV) combines technical excellence with a soulful depth of emotion and an unwavering commitment to education, diversity and accessibility.
S T A F F
Ana Ines King
Founder & Director Emerita
Marisol Betancourt
Artistic Director
Zaira Pulido
Development Coordinator
Kevin Davis
Musical Director
PHONE
(804) 356.3876
Studio LOCATIONs
Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center 2880 Mountain Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Dominion Energy Center
600 E. Grace Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
LBV is proudly sponsored by The Virginia Commission of the Arts the NEA and CultureWorks.
