Step Afrika! Competitors

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is the oldest continuously operating performing arts center in the US, founded in 1859 and located in the Fort Greene neighborhood since 1908. Known for pushing the boundaries of what performance and film can be, BAM has long been the home for creative trailblazers, renowned visionaries, and curious audiences. BAM presents live music, dance, theater, and everything in between, in addition to a year-round film program showcasing new releases and curated series. Want to help connect over half a million curious New Yorkers annually to groundbreaking film and performance? Discover your next opportunity at bam.org/about/careers.

Since 1984, Broadway Dance Center has earned a reputation in the global dance community as a beacon of excellence in dance education. BDC is renowned for its unparalleled Faculty and for offering a diverse array of dance disciplines under one roof. With over 25 years of experience, our state-of-the-art studios, and our location in the heart of the Broadway theater district in New York City, BDC is the ultimate destination for dancers around the world.

Ballet Hispánico New York is the nation's leading American Latino dance company, recognized by the Ford Foundation as one of America’s Cultural Treasures. For over five decades, it has championed artistic excellence through its three pillars: the Professional Company, The Ballet Hispánico School, and Community Arts Partnerships. Founded by Tina Ramirez in 1970, Ballet Hispánico quickly became a force in the dance world, blending classical ballet and contemporary techniques with Spanish and folkloric traditions. The Professional Company commissions works from leading and emerging choreographers, captivating audiences worldwide. In 2009, Eduardo Vilaro, a former Company dancer and founder of Luna Negra Dance Theater, became Artistic Director & CEO, expanding the organization’s impact. The Ballet Hispánico School, a beacon of excellence for more than 50 years, trains over 1,000 students annually and awards $450,000 in scholarships. Its curriculum fosters technical mastery, creativity, and cultural appreciation. Through Community Arts Partnerships, Ballet Hispánico brings dance education and performance to 30,000 people annually—75% from Title I schools. Since its founding, it has connected with 2.3 million audience members, awarded $5.5 million in scholarships, and served 750,000 New Yorkers. In 2024 alone, Ballet Hispánico reached 24 million people globally, performed 60 times nationwide for 38,000 attendees, and provided 1,100 free tickets to NYC performances. Ballet Hispánico continues to push the boundaries of dance, inspiring audiences with performances that honor tradition, embrace innovation, and redefine the future of the art form.