JOINT STATEMENT FROM

BALLET HISPANICO CHAIRMAN JODY GOTTFRIED ARNHOLD

AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VERDERY ROOSEVELT

July 1, 2010

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Goodman Media International, Inc. for Ballet Hispanico:

Beth Garcia (212) 576-2700 x242, bgarcia@goodmanmedia.com  

 

New York, NY – After 31 years as Executive Director of Ballet Hispanico, Verdery Roosevelt has decided to step down this week as the company closes its 2010 fiscal year.  A transitional period has been carefully planned during which Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispanico’s Artistic Director, will take on the additional responsibilities of the administration of the organization.

 

Roosevelt joined the staff of Ballet Hispanico in 1978, and became Executive Director a year later.  In partnership with Founder Tina Ramirez, she was responsible for the growth of the nation's preeminent Hispanic dance company and school from a community-based organization into a nationally recognized cultural institution. 

 

During her tenure with Ballet Hispanico, she oversaw the production of more than 50 new works for the company’s repertory, working with internationally renowned choreographers and designers to realize Ramirez’s vision.  Under her direction, scholarship support for the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance grew to over $150,000 annually, while Ballet Hispanico’s Education and Outreach programs expanded to serve 15,000 students on average around the country each year.  In addition, she oversaw the purchase and dramatic expansion of Ballet Hispanico's headquarters on Manhattan's Upper West Side, as well as the establishment of working capital and endowment funds.

 

“Verdery’s tenure with Ballet Hispanico has been remarkable,” said Chairman of the Board, Jody Gottfried Arnhold.  “Her leadership, dedication, perseverance and vision were critical to the growth and success of the organization over the past three decades.  We are grateful for her hard work and accomplishments and look forward to building upon those successes in the coming years as we continue to strengthen the organization.”

 

“It has been a great honor to be a part of this incredible organization,” said Roosevelt.  “It was a true privilege to help advance Tina Ramirez’s founding vision and to help shape Ballet Hispanico into the renowned dance institution that it is today.  More recently, I am proud to have participated in bringing Eduardo Vilaro back to Ballet Hispanico.  I will always be among the organization’s biggest fans and look forward to watching it continue to thrive.”

 

This year marks the company’s 40^th Anniversary, a milestone which Roosevelt contributed greatly toward achieving.

 

“I’ve had the great pleasure to work in partnership with Verdery for the past year,” said Eduardo Vilaro.  “Her passion and deep experience in the dance world have been great assets to the organization.  Ballet Hispanico is positioned now for even greater growth and success and I look forward to building on that foundation to elevate the company to extraordinary new heights.”