Locality
Richmond
Occupation
Founder and Artistic Director of the Latin Ballet of Virginia
Biography
Ana Ines Barragan King, a native of Colombia, in South America, learned flamenco, jazz, and modern dance at an early age from her mother, a dancer and teacher. She attended the Instituto Departmental de Bellas Artes of Colombia, and earned a BFA in dance and choreography. She founded the Santander Jazz Ballet in Colombia and was its artistic director for a decade.
After her marriage, King came to Richmond, where she studied dance at Virginia Commonwealth University and later joined its faculty in the Department of Dance and Choreography. She began a dance company early in the 1990s and in 1997 established the Latin Ballet of Virginia. King refers to herself and her company as "ambassadors of dance and culture," because along with dance technique, they also teach its history as well as the culture of Latin America. She has developed educational programs to teach students Spanish and English through dance and to use dance as therapy for children with special needs. King's work has brought access to the arts to many low-income families and the Latin Ballet of Virginia has continued to thrive. Hundreds of students attend its classes at multiple locations each year. In addition to being the company's artistic director and administrator, King continues to teach and choreograph award-winning dance pieces, including the annual Legend of the Poinsettia.
King has received numerous honors, including the Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts (Dance) in 2011 and the YWCA of Richmond's Outstanding Women Award for Arts in 2015.
2016 Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.
After her marriage, King came to Richmond, where she studied dance at Virginia Commonwealth University and later joined its faculty in the Department of Dance and Choreography. She began a dance company early in the 1990s and in 1997 established the Latin Ballet of Virginia. King refers to herself and her company as "ambassadors of dance and culture," because along with dance technique, they also teach its history as well as the culture of Latin America. She has developed educational programs to teach students Spanish and English through dance and to use dance as therapy for children with special needs. King's work has brought access to the arts to many low-income families and the Latin Ballet of Virginia has continued to thrive. Hundreds of students attend its classes at multiple locations each year. In addition to being the company's artistic director and administrator, King continues to teach and choreograph award-winning dance pieces, including the annual Legend of the Poinsettia.
King has received numerous honors, including the Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts (Dance) in 2011 and the YWCA of Richmond's Outstanding Women Award for Arts in 2015.
2016 Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.
File Citation(s)
Image Courtesy of Ana Ines Barragan King.