HISTORY
BalaSole Dance Company, founded in February 2010 by Roberto
Villanueva, is a multi-genre and all-inclusive dance company. Since its
official incorporation in July 2010 as an educational non-profit dance
organization, the company has presented informational sessions and
performances for the general public at prominent New York City dance
venues such as the Baryshnikov Arts Center's Jerome Robbins Theater,
The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, and
Tribeca Performing Arts Center. To date, the company has held seven
concert seasons featuring at least 73 underrepresented dance artists
performing solo pieces that range from experimental, postmodern,
ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, flamenco, to African dance. Past participants include artists from Limón Dance Company, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Parsons Dance, Lucinda Childs Dance, and students/graduates from New York University, SUNY Purchase, The Boston Conservatory, Long Island University, Rutgers University, University at Buffalo, East Carolina University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Marymount Manhattan College, University of the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, George Mason University, and University of Oklahoma.
BalaSole Dance Company is the only dance organization in the United States that is solely dedicated to bridging the gaps in the field of concert dance. Elizabeth McPherson of Attitude Magazine noted the company for its "ambitious and admirable goals." Lisa Jo Segola of New York's Back Stage highlighted the company for providing "a showcase for overlooked dancers." Tim Martin of Dance Europe Magazine called BalaSole Dance Company a "hybrid creature" and described it as "part dance company and part showcase for aspiring dancer/choreographers." Dance reviewer-blogger Philip Gardner described the company's mission as a unique venture in the contemporary New York dance scene.
Mr. Villanueva established BalaSole Dance Company in order to address
the imbalances that he saw in the field of concert dance since he began
dancing at the age of 19. He faced many heartbreaking rejections at
dance auditions because of his size, but refused to give up his dream of
becoming a professional concert dance artist. After 21 years in the field,
he decided to make it his personal goal to seek out other overlooked or
marginalized dance artists and help make their dreams become a reality.
He also wanted to give maturing artists like himself an opportunity to
extend their performing careers. He has always believed that artistry
only gets better with age.
MISSION
The mission of BalaSole Dance Company is to educate the general public
about the gaps that exist in the field of concert dance, create increased
visibility for underrepresented dance artists, and mentor dance artists to
develop their own unique artistry.
BalaSole Dance Company believes that the art of dance is for everyone.
The company was established to address the following imbalances,
which have prevented and/or discouraged individuals from pursuing or
continuing a career in the field of concert dance:
- Limited artistic freedom given to dance artists in most dance
companies
- Insufficient multiethnic representation of dance artists
- Inadequate mentorship given to dance artists with regard to
finding their artistic identity and strengthening their professional
credentials
- Limited opportunities for artistic collaboration in most dance
companies
- Typecasting restrictions that marginalize dance artists because
of age, shape, size, ethnicity, and style
- Generally only one stylized form of dance used in a dance
company’s repertoire
- Below average compensation given to a large number of dance
artists working in smaller companies
- Scarce opportunities for emerging dance artists to work alongside
seasoned performers
- Lack of formal means for dance artists to showcase their full
artistic talents and identity to prospective employers
- Limited number of dance company programs providing access to
the art of dance to financially disadvantaged children and youth
- Limited opportunities for male and female dance artists to become
soloists
- Low number of male dance artists entering the field
BalaSole Dance Company carries out its mission by:
- speaking to the general public at concert venues about the gaps
that exist in the field of concert dance
- presenting to the general public performances that showcase
underrepresented dance artists
- providing technical, artistic and career mentorship to dance artists
VISION
The vision of BalaSole Dance Company is to promote a balance in the
field of concert dance where the general public can experience a dance
concert filled with diversity and where artists are able to fully demonstrate
their individual artistry.
By building the general public’s sensitivity to the imbalances that exist in
the field of concert dance, BalaSole Dance Company hopes to:
- Expand dance artists’ creative freedom and growth
- Improve multiethnic representation in dance companies
- Foster artistic and career mentorship of dance artists
- Engender artistic collaboration in dance companies
- Increase visibility of marginalized or overlooked dance artists
- Promote versatility of dance artists in varied dance styles
- Elevate compensation of many dance artists to an appropriate level
- Increase outlets for emerging dance artists to learn from
professional dance artists
- Provide dance artists a vehicle by which to showcase their full
artistic talents and identity to other companies for potential
employment
- Make the art of dance accessible to everyone
- Broaden opportunities for male and female dance artists to become
soloists
- Encourage greater male viewership, interest, and participation in
concert dance