The Family Dance Night featuring Ballet Hispánico 2 (BH2) on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA in Centreville, Maryland, was an evening filled with artistry, cultural celebration, and audience engagement.
The day’s events began with a free Ballet Masterclass held at the Queen Anne’s County High School Dance Studio. This workshop was taught by Rodney Hamilton, the Director of Ballet Hispánico 2 and Director of the Professional Studies Program. The class served as a workshop-style audition for the Ballet Hispánico summer programs in New York City, which include the Professional Studies Program, the Pro-Up Intensive, and the Summer and Junior Summer Intensives. We’re happy to share recent update five students from the ballet class were accepted into their summer program.
The evening culminated in the free performance by BH2 at the YMCA. The extraordinary company of dancers presented four different works from the Ballet Hispánico repertory. During a pause in the performance, Rodney Hamilton offered two spontaneous dance lessons for the audience, teaching a salsa and meringue. It was an amazing, fun evening where kids and the entire audience embraced the spirit of the event by getting up and dancing!
Ballet Hispánico is recognized as the nation’s leading Hispanic/Latine dance company and the largest Latinx cultural organization in the United States. It was founded in 1970 by the Puerto Rican-Mexican-American dancer and choreographer, Tina Ramirez. Emerging during the civil rights era, Ramirez established the organization to celebrate Latino cultures through innovative dance, commissioning over 100 original works to reflect the Hispanic/Latino American experience. The company was founded to provide a haven and cultural sanctuary for Black and Brown Latinx youth and families.
BH2, the second company, features dancers renowned for their versatility, technical skill, and stage presence. The dancers are trained in a diverse curriculum that emphasizes technical refinement and versatility.
The company’s performances are described as technically exquisite, showcasing repertory works that reflect both tradition and innovation. The dancers, under the guidance of acclaimed faculty including Director Rodney Hamitlon and guest choreographers, deliver performances that bring Ballet Hispánico’s signature energy and artistry to audiences.
This was the second collaboration for Ballet Hispanico 2 with the Carole Cascio Fund. It’s been an absolute pleasure for CCF to continually work with this diverse and highly trained company of young inspiring dancers. Executive Director Peter Pucci called on some of his connections in the dance world, Pucci said “It was delightful to work with Rodney Hamilton again. Rodney was in my original dance I created for the Ballet Hispanico, Forever and a Day, he was a principle dancer in that work.”
CCF is happy to share a recent update from Rodney the five students from the QACHS ballet class were accepted into their summer program!
