FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ICONS Dance Festival Brings Together Joffrey Concert Group, Limón2, and BH2 for a Celebration of Dance at Ailey Citigroup Theater this April
New York City, NY – Mar 9, 2026– The Joffrey Concert Group in New York City is thrilled to announce the return of ICONS Dance Festival, an electrifying celebration of dance artistry, taking place at the renowned Ailey Citigroup Theater. This year’s festival will showcase extraordinary performances by the sublime dancers of the Joffrey Concert Group, Limón2, and BH2, with three performances happening on: April 18 at 7:30 PM and April 19 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM.
On day 2 of the festival, dance enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to participate in exclusive Master Classes before the evening performance. Led by Bradley Shelver (Artistic Director of ICONS Dance Festival and the Joffrey Concert Group), Dante Puleio (Artistic Director of the Limón Dance Company), and Blanca Huertas (Director, The Ballet Hispánico School) and Rodney Hamilton (Professional Studies/BH2 Director, The Ballet Hispánico School), these sessions will take place on Sunday, April 19, from 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM. Participants will gain invaluable insight into the artistic philosophies and techniques of these three distinguished industry leaders.
The ICONS Dance Festival performance night will showcase a dynamic repertoire, featuring works by the legendary José Limón, performed by Limón2 dancers, as well as compelling works presented by the Joffrey Concert Group dancers. BH2, Ballet Hispánico’s second company, appears with Sombrerísimo by celebrated choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, alongside newly commissioned work. This fusion of classical, modern, and contemporary styles promises a captivating experience for audiences of all backgrounds.
Through this continued collaboration, the ICONS Dance Festival celebrates the enduring influence of iconic choreographers while creating space for today’s artists to expand the conversation through movement.
Festival Details
Venue: Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater
Dates & Times:
- April 18, 2025: 7:00 PM
- April 19, 2025: 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Tickets: $35 General Admission | $15 Students
For more information please visit us at https://www.joffreyconcertgroupnyc.com/icons.
For tickets please visit us at https://bit.ly/iconsdancefestival-performancestickets.
For masterclass enrollment, visit https://bit.ly/iconsdancefestival-masterclasses.
Master Class Details – Open to dancers 14-25
Venue: Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street, New York, NY
Date & Time:
- April 19, 2026: 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM
Cost: $15 per class | Enroll in 2+ Master Classes and receive a ticket to the 3:00 PM Matinee performance
Schedule:
- 9:00 – 10:15 AM: Blanca Huertas and Rodney Hamilton, The Ballet Hispánico School
- 10:30 – 11:45 AM: Dante Puleio, Limón Dance Company
- 12:00 – 1:15 PM: Bradley Shelver, Joffrey Concert Group
Join us for an unforgettable weekend of dance as ICONS come to life on stage!
For tickets please visit us at https://bit.ly/iconsdancefestival-performancestickets
For masterclass enrollment, visit https://bit.ly/iconsdancefestival-masterclasses or contact info@joffreyconcertgroupnyc.com.
About Joffrey Concert Group:
The Joffrey Concert Group was founded in the early 1970s and incorporated as a not-for-profit in 1981, and is currently led by Artistic Director Bradley Shelver. This pre-professional performing ensemble offers young artists from the official Joffrey Ballet School’s year-round Trainee Program in New York City the opportunity to experience life as professional dancers.
In the years since its inception, the dancers of the Joffrey Concert Group have studied and performed some of the most celebrated classical and contemporary repertoire. This includes the works of Gerald Arpino (Birthday Variations, Light Rain), Robert Battle (Battlefield), George Balanchine (Serenade), August Bournonville (La Ventana), Dwight Rohden (New Work) and Africa Guzman (The Stolen Path).
The Joffrey Concert Group has toured domestically and internationally, providing dancers the experience necessary to confidently transition from student to professional.
About Joffrey Ballet School:
The Joffrey Ballet School is a renowned dance institution based in New York City. Dance visionaries Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino founded the school in 1953, offering a world-class training program that celebrates boundary-breaking performances and commitment to artistic excellence. The Joffrey Ballet School continues to shape the future of dance through innovative training programs that prepare students to confidently pursue a career in dance throughout the worlds of concert and commercial dance.
About Limón Dance Company / Limón2
Limón2 is dedicated to the development of young professionals for a sustainable career and lasting contributions to the dance world. Limón2 also seeks to generate innovative programming and accessible community engagement.
This inaugural artistic venture brings together young talent, the iconic works of José Limón, along with today’s most exciting up and coming choreographers. The treasured spirit and humanistic legacy of José Limón lives on with Limón2!
https://www.limon.nyc
https://www.limon.nyc/limon2
About Ballet Hispánico and BH2
As the largest Latino cultural organization in the U.S. Ballet Hispánico uses the power of dance to celebrate Latino culture and drive meaningful change. Through our professional Company, School, and Community Arts Partnerships, we honor the richness of the Hispanic diaspora while fostering innovation and cultural dialogue. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispánico continues to amplify intersectional Latino stories, nurture emerging artists, and inspire audiences worldwide. With more than 2.5 million people reached across three continents, we remain dedicated to empowering communities and shaping the future of dance.
The talented pre-professional dancers of Ballet Hispánico’s second company BH2 are members of the Pa’lante Program and form bridges: between the School and the professional Company, Ballet Hispánico and the community, and their training and future careers in dance. Under the guidance of Professional Studies/BH2 Director, Rodney Hamilton, dancers bring Latino culture to schools, communities, and corporations. With engaging and interactive performances, BH2 leads audiences through an exciting exploration of dance influenced by Latin cultures. Each performance features choreography from the Ballet Hispánico repertoire
The Professional Studies Pa’lante Program is The Ballet Hispánico School’s full-time, daytime training program for dancers pursuing advanced study. The program includes Pa’lante Scholars, Apprentices, and Trainees.
Students train under Ballet Hispánico’s distinctive model, studying ballet and contemporary technique, learning Ballet Hispánico repertory, and performing throughout the year. Pa’lante Scholars attend tuition-free, while Apprentices and Trainees participate through a tuition-based program. Partial scholarships and tuition assistance are available.
Enrollment is limited, and the program is open to dancers of all backgrounds.
For more than fifty years, Ballet Hispánico has served as a platform for young artists pursuing professional careers in dance. As the professional division of La Academia, the Pa’lante Program offers dancers the opportunity to study full-time within Ballet Hispánico’s rigorous training environment while preparing for the demands of the field.
https://www.ballethispanico.org/
For media inquiries, please contact:
Joffrey Ballet School, Maria Zamri, marketing@joffreyballetschool.com
