Borinquen Dance Theatre Inc

Borinquen Dance Theatre was established in 1981 at the Puerto Rican Festival in Rochester when renowned choreographer Garth Fagan announced that his former dancer, Nydia Padilla-Rodríguez, would soon be offering dance classes. What began as a small initiative evolved into a mission to empower Rochester's youth through dance. Nydia shifted the focus from adult classes to providing children and teenagers with opportunities to cultivate discipline, self-confidence, and a desire for success.

The studio celebrates Latin culture through Caribbean folkloric and Modern Latin dance, blending African, Taíno-Arawak, and Spanish influences. Classes for ages 5–13 immerse students in these vibrant rhythms and movements. The Borinquen Dance Company, for ages 14 and up, requires at least two years of experience and rehearses three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m.—performing at events throughout Rochester.

After decades of hosting classes at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance and running outreach programmes in local schools, Borinquen Dance Theatre moved into its own dedicated space at 1 East Avenue in downtown Rochester. This new home serves as a hub for creativity, culture, and community, offering students access to a professional dance environment that celebrates Puerto Rican heritage and promotes personal growth.

The organisation has earned widespread recognition, including the prestigious national "Coming Up Taller" award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the "Distinguished Cultural Organization of the Year" award from the Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester. Many BDT alumni have gone on to successful careers in the arts, education, and community leadership.

The studio's leadership combines decades of expertise. Founder and Artistic Director Nydia Padilla-Rodríguez has dedicated over 43 years to fostering cultural pride and discipline in at-risk youth. Assistant Artistic Director Jayme Bermudez, an adjunct professor at Nazareth University, has devoted over 20 years to working with at-risk Latinx and African American students and has served as choreographer and cultural consultant on productions including Once on This Island (which earned 6 Broadway World Award nominations) and In the Heights with NTID/RIT. Instructor and Artistic Choreographer Damaris Lissette Santos, a graduate of Rochester City School District's School of the Arts and a BDT alumna herself, coordinates the children's programme, teaching fundamentals for performing and choreographing traditional pieces including Bomba and Plena.

Classes run by semester at the studio's downtown Rochester location. You'll join age-grouped classes that blend African, Taíno-Arawak, and Spanish influences with Caribbean folkloric and modern Latin dance. The studio emphasises rigorous dance training alongside essential life lessons in teamwork, leadership, and academic achievement.

Nydia Padilla-Rodríguez (Founder and Artistic Director, 43+ years with BDT), Jayme Bermudez (Assistant Artistic Director, adjunct professor at Nazareth University), Damaris Lissette Santos (Instructor/Artistic Choreographer, BDT Jr.), Lorenzo Christian, and Shawndel Lewis teach across the schedule.

Yes; the studio offers Beginners Foundation Classes for ages 5–7 and ages 8–13, as well as Foundation of All Styles classes for those starting out.