Ballet Hispanico Company Dancer Receives 2012 Princess Grace Award for Dance

Ballet Hispanico, described as the preeminent Latino dance institution in the United States, announces that company member Jamal Rashann Callender has received a Princess Grace Award for Dance.

Awards winners exemplify both classical and experimental artistic disciplines and, while still considered emerging talent, already show exceptional promise in their areas of expertise. Princess Grace Foundation (PGF)-USA assists their theater and dance studies, helps pay their artistic fees at non-profit companies and helps support their thesis film projects. The 2012 recipients hail from or are affiliated with organizations in 17 states.

The Awards for theater, dance and choreography, and film continue the legacy of Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, who helped emerging artists pursue their artistic goals during Her lifetime. This year's 25 award winners will travel to New York City, where they will receive their awards at the 30th Anniversary Princess Grace Awards Gala, held in the presence of TSH The Prince and Princess of Monaco, on October 22, 2012 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

"We are thrilled to have Jamal's work honored with a Princess Grace Award," said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico. "His dancing is consistently excellent and inspired. This year, he has grown significantly and we are grateful that his accomplishments have been recognized by this terrific organization."

"The Foundation is delighted to honor Jamal's artistic excellence this year, as well as partner with Ballet Hispanico again," said Toby Boshak, Executive Director of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. "Our Board of Trustees and Arts Advisory Board remain committed to our mission of furthering the future of the arts and are proud to have increased our support across the theater, dance and film disciplines this year."

Jamal Rashann Callender began dancing at Ballet Tech in New York City. He attended the Professional Performing Arts School/The Ailey School under the late Denise Jefferson, while dancing at The Restoration Dance Theatre and the Harlem School of the Arts. Jamal also attended Perry-Mansfield and Springboard Danse Montreal. He graduated from The Juilliard School under Lawrence Rhodes, and has worked with The Atlanta Ballet, Peridance Ensemble, Buglisi Dance Theater, Formal Structure Inc., and Hubbard Street 2. He is entering his second season with Ballet Hispanico.

This is the second Princes Grace Award received in conjunction with Ballet Hispanico; in 2009, Andrea Miller received a Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship. She created the work Nací on Ballet Hispanico, which is now a part of the repertory.

ABOUT BALLET HISPANICO
Celebrating 42 years of dance and culture, Ballet Hispanico is recognized as the nation's preeminent Latino dance organization. Led by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispanico explores, preserves and celebrates today's Latino cultures through innovative artistic collaborations, world class dance training and national education and outreach programs. For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispanico on Facebook and Twitter.