BalaSole Dance Company

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