Education Director
Ballet Hispanico
New York, NY


Background
Founded by Tina Ramirez in 1970, Ballet Hispanico is among the most respected and accomplished dance institutions in the United States, and is the premier institution exploring and advancing the passion and theatricality of Hispanic dance and culture. Education in all of its forms was a fundamental motivator for the establishment of Ballet Hispanico and education remains at the core of its existence. Established first as a small community-based organization,
Ms. Ramirez has led a visionary expansion of the organization over its nearly four decades. To date, the Company has performed for over 2 million people on three continents, bringing the richness of contemporary Latino culture to a broad international audience with an original repertory from established Latino choreographers as well as that of emerging and established choreographic artists of varied nationalities. Of the total of 95 works in the Company’s repertoire, fully 77 were commissioned by Ballet Hispanico and originally staged on the Company. Further, the Ballet Hispanico School has trained thousands of students and launched the careers of a number of luminary performers, while educational programs now reach over 15,000 annually. Earlier this year, Ms. Ramirez announced that she would retire at the end of the 2008-09 season; a search for her successor is currently underway.

Ballet Hispanico’s programmatic activity falls into three principal areas: 1) the professional Company;
2) The School of Dance; and 3) Primeros Pasos, its community outreach / education initiative. Its work with young people is at the core of Ballet Hispanico’s mission; indeed, education is a core value of the institution and is deeply embedded in the mindset of the staff, dancers and board. At the conclusion of this profile, please find an addendum with more detailed information on Ballet Hispanico’s programmatic areas. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Ballet Hispanico occupies a uniquely important place, both geographically and artistically, in the New York cultural landscape.

The Founder

Tina Ramirez has combined her incomparable artistic vision with years of performance and teaching experience to create and sustain the nation's premiere Hispanic-American dance company and school, Ballet Hispanico. Ms. Ramirez is first and foremost a teacher. Her tenacious drive and clear vision have allowed Ballet Hispanico and its School to thrive for nearly four decades. Following an international performance career, Ms. Ramirez was drawn back to New York to direct a thriving Spanish dance studio, where she began to work with inner city children. At a time when there were no dance organizations for Latinos, she was encouraged both by the skill of her pupils and increasing requests for performances to establish Ballet Hispanico and has served as its sole artistic director during its 38-year history.

This remarkable, four-decade tenure has established her as an iconic figure in the international dance field and in the Hispanic community, not to speak of position she holds within New York. Following her retirement in 2009, Ms. Ramirez will remain as an advisor to and an ambassador for the institution.

Her recognitions and awards are voluminous. She is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest cultural honor, as well as the Dance Magazine Award, Hispanic Heritage Award, and the New York State Governor's Arts Award among many others. Volunteer contributions include serving on the board of trustees for The New 42nd Street, Inc., serving as a co-chair for the New York City Department of Education Dance Curriculum Blueprint Committee, the New York City Advisory Commission for Cultural Affairs, and panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. A full bio of Ms. Ramirez may be accessed on the Company’s website:
www.ballethispanico.org./company/artistic_director

Primeros Pasos
Since its inception, education has been synonymous with Ballet Hispanico’s core mission. Indeed, the organization has been a leader at the forefront of arts education in New York. In 2005, Artistic Director Tina Ramirez and Board Chair Jody Gottfried Arnhold were instrumental in developing the New York City Dance Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. As the organization has planned for the transition of artistic leadership, the board and staff have reaffirmed the priority of education. The hiring of a new director of education is a core component in Ballet Hispanico’s desire to retain a leadership position – not only in New York City but nationally – in this emphasis on education.

The umbrella of education programs – called Primeros Pasos, or “First Steps” – includes a wide range programming for children and adults, both in New York and around the country. Programs based in NYC schools consist primarily of teaching artist residencies conducted over 12 to 20 weeks. The national education program connects with the main company’s tours, including workshops in local schools, master classes, seminars, lecture/ demonstrations, and artist/audience “talk-backs.” Other components of Primeros Pasos include program evaluation, professional development workshops and other training for Ballet Hispanico teaching artists, Company members, classroom teachers and school arts specialists. Selected Primeros Pasos students also receive scholarships to attend the School’s Summer Program. Currently, the education programs fall into two basic categories:

1) Primeros Pasos in the New York City Schools

In the 2007-2008 school year, Primeros Pasos conducted residencies of 12 to 20 weeks in 14 schools and 85 classrooms, conducted by up to eight teaching artists working in the New York schools. While most were school-day programs integrated into the academic curriculum, five of these schools engaged Ballet Hispanico to conduct after-school sessions through the CASA program funded by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. One school participates in a NYSCA Empire State Partnership program. All residencies involve teaching K-12 students Hispanic dance forms, both traditional and contemporary. Each residency ends with a performance by the students, fully costumed and professionally produced by Ballet Hispanico staff, and often integrated into a larger school presentation.

2) Primeros Pasos National Program

The majority of the Company’s touring engagements include some educational component, such as master classes in various techniques, fully-produced lecture demonstration performances, interactive classroom workshops for children, Latin social dance classes for the general public, and question and answer sessions with the artistic director and the dancers. In the fall of 2008, Ballet Hispanico will launch an in-depth initiative involving a more sustained presence in local schools in at least two cities participating in the Ballet Hispanico Company’s tour. The initiative will involve close collaboration with the presenting organization and will include direct interaction with students in the classroom. Specially trained members of Ballet Hispanico’s Company will serve as the teaching artists.

The Facility
Ballet Hispanico is headquartered on Manhattan 's Upper West Side, where a recent expansion in 2006 has provided six bright, spacious dance studios and dressing rooms. While certain studios and dressing rooms have been designated specifically for the professional company and others for the school, students have the special opportunity to study in close proximity to the superbly talented dancers of the main company. Located in a quiet, residential area, the facility is the realization of the commonly held vision of Ballet Hispanico leadership: a beautiful, permanent home for future generations of aspiring students, and a center devoted to comprehensive dance education. The facility spans two historic carriage houses and several floors in a ten-story building, with studio space for rehearsals as well as administrative offices and other support functions.

Current Environment
Ballet Hispanico operates on an annual budget of just under $5 million; approximately 30% of this budget is devoted to its School and 10% to its education efforts. There are 41 full-time artistic, administrative and production employees and approximately 44 part-time employees. After its recent expansion, operating costs have significantly escalated. The result has been a significant drain on organizational resources, and the organization is currently in the process of retiring a significant debt (primarily mortgage debt). The staff and board have developed a plan including both enhanced revenue focused on school expansion and contributed revenue as well as reduced operating expenses. The executive director, Verdery Roosevelt , has been with the company for 30 years. Many others have also been with the organization for long tenures, although in recent months some key positions have been strengthened with new personnel. These include the school director, Jose Costas, who began in May 2008 and the development director, Marie-Louise Stegall, who joined the company in 2006.

Core Responsibilities

Programmatic

• Design, develop and implement all Primeros Pasos programs, including school residencies, after-school programs, professional development workshops and teacher / artist training.
• Building on the existing program’s successful foundation, strengthen and position Ballet Hispanico’s programs to insure its national leadership position in the education arena.
• Provide ongoing evaluation of the program and implement newly developed assessment tools.
• Collaborate with Artistic Director to prepare Ballet Hispanico Company members for education activities during national tour.
• Create informational materials, including study guides for teachers, brochures, and web site content
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director and the Director of the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance to infuse education principles and services across all organizational divisions.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Build and steward relationships with school administrators, program partners and funders.
• Forge a strong working relationship with the senior staff of Ballet Hispanico to strengthen all areas of the organization.
• Devise strategies to promote audience development in collaboration with Marketing and Executive Directors.
• Serve as Ballet Hispanico representative to the greater NYC and national dance education community.
• Represent Primeros Pasos division for the Board of Directors Program Committee.
• Collaborate with senior administrative staff on funding applications.

Management

• Hire, train and motivate Primeros Pasos administrative and teaching personnel (in 2008, nine teaching artists, two administrative staff, and eleven part-time project staff).
• Develop and oversee departmental and project budgets.
• Prepare and approved weekly payroll.

Qualifications

Professional Skills

• A strong background in education and supervision of education programs.
• Familiarity with dance education practices in other communities across the country.
• Culturally competent in relating to the diverse populations Ballet Hispanico serves.
• A command of both the English and the Spanish language is ideal and preferable, but not required.
• Proven success in collaborative work with a team of highly skilled professionals.
• Minimum M.A. in Dance or Dance Education and at least five years arts administration experience.
• Strong computer and word processing ability.
• Skill in budget preparation.
• The search will be conducted on a national scope; however, special consideration will be given to candidates who can demonstrate the following:
• Strong knowledge of national/state dance education standards and the YC Blueprint for Dance Education
• Deep understanding of New York City Department of Education policies and programs.
• Familiarity with DYCD-funded CASA program and NYSCA-funded Empire State Partnerships

Personal Attributes

• A passion for education and a deep commitment to the education of children.
• A profound commitment to Latino culture.
• Very strong communication, social and interpersonal skills, taking delight in representing the organization in multiple contexts.
• An active and energetic mind and demeanor.
• A desire to be a part of and to enrich the dynamic relationship between Ballet Hispanico and the New York City community.

Salary
The Education Director’s salary will be extremely competitive with those within major dance companies of comparable stature and size. The position is a
full-time, 52 week position.


Start Date and Procedure for Application
The target date for a hiring decision is fall 2008, with the expectation that the new Education Director will be in place full time soon thereafter. Ballet Hispanico is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position. Benefits include the following:

• HMO health insurance plan
• Dental plan (employee funded)
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Paid vacation, sick time and holidays

Recommendations of qualified individuals are invited. Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and salary requirements to the consulting firm retained to support Ballet Hispanico in this search.

Management Consultants for the Arts, Inc.
David Mallette or Louise Kane
Attn: Ballet Hispanico Education Director Search
132 East Putnam Avenue
Cos Cob, CT 06807
Fax: 203-661-3938

MgtConArts2@aol.com preferred

ADDENDUM
This addendum provides more detail on Ballet Hispanico’s other two primary programs in addition to Primeros Pasos (described above): the main performance company and the School. There is a desire within the organization to more fully integrate the activities of these three components.

The Company
Since its inception, The Ballet Hispanico Company has roused audiences worldwide with its magnetic energy and vivacious choreography. Currently consisting of 13 members, its aesthetic is decidedly based in classical ballet but influenced by Latin, modern and contemporary dance styles. Performing works by the foremost Latino choreographers, Ms. Ramirez has also identified a number of talented emerging artists during the decades of her tenure. By fusing Latin dance with elements of classical and contemporary forms, Ballet Hispanico has created a new sphere of theatrical concert dance. The Company’s body of repertoire represents no fewer than 50 choreographers. Its tradition as a repertory company is viewed as a strength and the board is committed to moving forward with this model. In addition to an annual home season in New York City, Ballet Hispanico tours regularly throughout the U.S. as well as takes part in frequent international tours. Many performances are accompanied by activities in the community, such as master classes, a Latin Social Dance class or a Performance For Young People. More detail on repertory can be found on the Company website:
http://www.ballethispanico.org/home.html

The School of Dance
The Ballet Hispanico School has forged a reputation among the nation's leading professional training programs, offering a balanced curriculum in classical ballet, contemporary techniques, and ethnic dance forms – a practice unique among America 's dance training institutions. As a result, students receive not only a thorough grounding in the primary techniques required for a successful performing career but also specialized training in the rich and varied dance tradition which, for many, is their cultural heritage. Total enrollment for the School Year Program (from September through June) has grown to 700 in a six-day-a-week schedule, which includes children ages 2 through 6 enrolled in Adventures in Dance; older students taking one or two classes per week as part of the Enrichment program; evening classes for adults; and the Pre-Professional training program, which annually provides approximately 100 students with graduated levels of training in classical ballet, traditional Spanish dance forms and modern dance. To supplement the curriculum for intermediate and advanced-level students, the schedule also includes workshops in ethnic techniques and repertory. Each summer, the School hosts a four-week Summer Intensive for 80 students who are admitted by audition. An additional 200+ students participate in the summer term through the Adventures in Dance, Enrichment, or Adult programs. Performance is considered a critical component of training, including fully costumed and choreographed concerts for student performers. The School Ensemble – consisting of its most advanced students – presents over thirty performances annually at such events as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, CityParks Dance Festival and Fiesta Familia. Faculty members are among some of the most respected professionals in the field. Most classes are given to live musical accompaniment to inspire musicality and provide instructors with the freedom to focus their full attention on their students' progress. Students come from throughout the United States and several countries. Notwithstanding, the School retains an important connection to New York and especially to its own neighborhood in the Upper West Side . Each year, following rigorous auditions and a thorough evaluation of all applicants, more than $100,000 in scholarship support is awarded based on talent and dedication or need.

Procedure for Application
Recommendations of qualified individuals are invited. Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and salary requirements to the consulting firm retained to support Ballet Hispanico in this search.

Management Consultants for the Arts, Inc.
David Mallette or Louise Kane
Attn: Ballet Hispanico Education Director Search
132 East Putnam Avenue
Cos Cob, CT 06807
Fax: 203-661-3938

MgtConArts2@aol.com preferred