In its tenth year, New World School of the Arts’ Make Art Work [MAW] continues this year with two respected artists, Eduardo Vilaro, choreographer and Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico in New York City and Russell Thomas, distinguished tenor and NWSA music alumnus (1998). The MAW series is designed to bring professionals in the art world together with students and the community for a dialogue on the business of art by focusing on providing tools, guidance and strategies for success to the next generation of artists. The primary goal of these dialogues is to expand understanding of what it takes to live as an artist in the twenty-first century. Each talk includes a question and answer session, allowing students and the public opportunities for direct communication with leaders in the art world.

Eduardo Vilaro has created a new work, Chance of Thunder, for NWSA college students and is returning to NWSA to rehearse this vibrant new work. He will speak about his choreographic process and his approach to choreography, with a short showing of an excerpt of the dance, and a Q & A session with the audience, hosted by NWSA Dean of Dance, Mary Lisa Burns.

Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as Artistic Director in August 2009, becoming only the second person to head the company since it was founded in 1970. In 2015, Mr. Vilaro took on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispánico. He has been part of the Ballet Hispánico family since 1985 as a principal dancer and educator, after which he began a ten-year record of achievement as Founder and Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago. Mr. Vilaro has infused Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s changing cultural landscape. Born in Cuba and raised in New York from the age of six, he is a frequent speaker on the merits of cultural diversity and dance education.