Dance

In the Dominican Republic, folkloric, popular and classic dances such as ballet, and modern dance, have evolved with time.

Ballet in the Dominican Republic

Ballet is the most advanced form of physical training in the world. It has become a profession that since its beginning stages requires dedication, discipline, consistency, talent, physical qualifications and vocation. A ballet dancer is both an athlete and an artist at the same time.

The first appearance of ballet in the Dominican Republic dates back to the 40’s with the arrival of Austrian dance instructor Herta Brauer.

Brauer was the first ballet instructor in the Dominican Republic. However, her stay in the country was very short. She was followed by Magda Corbett, who arrived in the late 40’s.

Corbett was joined later by Cuban instructor Clara Elena Ramirez, who in1963, opened her own ballet school in the Dominican capital.

That point in time marks the beginning of an era when ballet flourished in Dominican Republic. From these schools emerge dancers and choreographers, who subsequently opened their own ballet academies. This proliferation of ballet studios increased the quality and the number of local dancers.

At the present time, the country counts with both, ballet dance and choreography professionals, who have studied in the country and abroad. Some of them have been worthy of national and international awards.

In the Festival Internacional de Ballet in Peru, the Ballet Concierto Dominicano was honored when Mercedes Morales and Victor Ramirez received the first medal ever awarded to the Dominican Republic in ballet.

Likewise, Silvia Crespo had the privilege to become the first Dominican to dance with Fernando Bujones, winner of multiple world titles, and who is considered the number one ballet dancer in the United States.

In 1993 the country was honored with the visit of the distinguished ballet professor, David Howard, who has trained many of the prominent ballet celebrities in the world.

By: Carlos Veitía