Ballet Etudes of South Florida celebrated its 2nd annual Tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Continuing the series of Ballet Etudes’ “Sunday Afternoon at the Ballet,” the performance took place at the Hialeah Performing Arts Theater. This year’s “Festival of the Americas” honored Hispanic heritage and culture by featuring traditional dances from the Caribbean, Spain, and South America.

The afternoon began with a Classical Ballet section. Palace Courtiers opened the show with vibrant music and costuming featuring the 2010 Graduation Candidates: Nataly Leal, Jennelle Perez, Janelle Robaina, and Erica Sosa. They were supported by dancers from the Junior Ensemble-Level III and the Junior Company. Majestic Jewels followed and featured a pas de trois with Melinda Gonzalez, Lauren Pedroso, and Sanford Placide. They were supported by dancers from the Junior Ensemble-Level I. Next, two of the 2009 Graduates performed their Graduate Variations; Erika Brito was striking and strong in a black tutu and Stephanie Davis was pure elegance in a picturesque white tutu. Mystic Waters was a crowd favorite featuring Ashley Dieguez, Britney Gomez, and Melinda Gonzalez. They were supported by a confident and energetic corps of dancers from the Junior Ensemble-Level II. Two more of the 2009 Graduates performed next; Laura Spanioli danced with a regal expressiveness in a rich red tutu and Jessica Canino soared across the stage with spirit in a royal blue tutu. Rounding out the first half of the show was Regal Renaissance which was danced by the Company and the 2009 Graduates.

The audience anticipation for the second half of the show was fitting. The first dance, Bolero, was a tribute to Spain starring Dagmar Moradillos with Peter La Fox, Louis Muñoz, Sanford Placide and members of the Company. The audience was captivated by the resonant and insistent music and calculated choreography. Milonga, a tribute to the roots of the South American Tango, was a light yet lively number danced by the Junior Ensemble-Level III and Junior Company dancers. Another definite highlight of the show was Batucada performed by Jessica Canino, Giselle Hutchinson, and Sanford Placide. The percussive, fast-paced rhythm of this dance comes from an African influenced, Brazilian samba style. Next, the Junior Ensemble-Levels I & II united their talents in Cumbanchero; the well-known music celebrating Caribbean Salsa almost had the audience on their feet. The final block of dances highlighted the distinctive Cuban rhythms known throughout Latin America. Dagmar Moradillos, Melinda Gonzalez, and Lauren Pedroso were a vision of classic grace in Habanera. This melodious genre’s influence reached from the development of many Latin American songs forms to its use in European classical music; it was the perfect opener. Orisha, an Afro-Cuban folk representation, followed with Ashley Dieguez, Peter La Fox, Louis Muñoz, and Sanford Placide. The audience watched their entrance anxiously as the three men, using two long metal poles, carefully balanced Ms. Dieguez through transitioning poses as she held onto a third pole. The drumming continued with Rumba as the Company cheerfully showed off the soul of Latin American music and dance. Conga closed the show as the entire ensemble filled the stage and the curtain came down with overwhelming applause. All of the dances performed are original creations by Susana Prieto and/or Peter La Fox.

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