Latin Ballet of Virginia, Inc.

HISTORY: The Latin Ballet of Virginia was founded in 1997 in Richmond, Virginia under the direction of Ana Ines King, a native of Colombia, South America. LBV is a professional dance company and school of dance, providing multicultural dance programs, teaching and performing for a diverse community. The Company is central Virginia's pre-eminent Hispanic dance company, performing throughout the State and at select venues in North and South America. It was incorporated as a 501(c) 3 organization in 2000. LBV offers a wide variety of weekly classes in 2 dance schools taught by 13 faculty members. Over the years, LBV has built a company of 11 professional dancers from around the world, featuring 6 professional musicians, and mentors 25 apprentice dancers. LBV enrolls approximately 400 students of all ages per year, conducts five professional dance productions annually, supports 85 long term residencies and 120 short residencies, and presents master classes and lecture demonstrations. ABOUT: For the 2012-2013 program year, LBV touched a total of 112,000 individuals (60,000 adults and 52,000 children under age 18) through educational performances, residencies, and lectures. According to U.S Census, there are approximately 12,803 people who identify their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino who live in Richmond City. LBV performs and teaches for a diverse range of venues and audiences to ensure accessibility to a wide audience. LBV's programs are the only ones of their kind in the area and are a natural draw to local residents of Hispanic descent. Today, the Latin Ballet of Virginia uses the expressive beauty of movement in its many forms to weave the tales and traditions that are the heart and soul of Hispanic culture. Bringing the culture and history of Spain and Latin America to passionate life through the joy of dance, LBV combines technical excellence with a soulful depth of emotion and an unwavering commitment to education, diversity and accessibility.