A moving force: in the country's biggest minority, Latino artists fight stereotypes that blur their artistry and their diversity

Dance Magazine, June, 2005 by Guillermo Perez

Diplomas in hand, these young people can still learn from ballet luminary Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, who had a long and remarkable career at San Francisco Ballet (and has been an advice columnist for DM). "Sometimes it was difficult as a child growing up as the only dark-skinned person around, so I became a little withdrawn," she remembers. "I may have been slighted, but I felt more discrimination later when I became aware of people's preferences for other types in ballet. There was Alicia [Alonso], of course, but I actually identified with Maria Tallchief [who is Native American] because I look more like her."

However, she's quick to add, "Being Latina actually made me want to keep working harder, to prove my talent. I became known as very professional, always going the extra mile to maintain my integrity." Now as Ballet Education Coordinator at SFB, she finds fulfillment in partnering with the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Franscisco's Mission district. "I'm glad I can serve as a role model," she reflects. "I want to instill in young people a sense of self and tell them how once I was just this very shy Mexican girl--but look what can happen!"

Havana-born and Miami-raised, Guillermo Perez writes about dance for South Florida's Sun Sentinel and is a frequent contributor to DM.