Interview with Adalhi Aranda Corn, November 24, 2009

Interview Summary

She introduces herself and talks about her family and her business, Bluegrass Youth Ballet. She describes her bilingual education in Mexico, her ballet practice, and her move to the United States. She describes the life of a professional ballerina in Mexico, including the lack of work, and the growth of the performing arts compared to the opportunities that can be found in the United States. She comments on the cultural differences that she experienced her first years in Kentucky, for example people's behavior, public transportation, and medical services. She describes the Hispanic community in Lexington and her relationship with other Mexicans. She describes the way in which her company's ballets have created a cultural bridge between Mexico and Lexington.She mentions three original ballets specifically: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Alebrijes (folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures, and El Viaje de Arabella (Arabella's Voyage). She comments on the importance of art for the Hispanic and American community and the challenge that she has found in involving Latinos in the ballets. She talks about the importance of bilingualism in the world today, both on the part of Hispanics and Americans. She comments on the use of Spanish in her house and a little about how she met her husband. She talks about the founding of her two businesses: Bluegrass Youth Ballet and CulturArte. She describes her experience as an art and ballet teacher. She talks about the way she incorporates Latin American cultural elements and those of other countries into the Bluegrass Youth Ballet productions. She describes the process of investigating cultural elements and looking for music for her works of ballet and how she adapts them for an American audience. She comments on the reception of her works, specifically "El D?a de los Muertos" (The Day of the Dead). She describes the community that has been created in the Bluegrass Youth Ballet. She shares her opinion on the future of the Hispanic community in Lexington.

Interview Keyword

Communities. Las comunidades. Families. Familias. Education Educaci Mexico. M?jico.

Interview LC Subject

Ballet Ballerinas Immigrants--Kentucky Emigration and immigration Lexington (Ky.)--Social conditions Culture Hispanic Americans--Kentucky Language Teaching Teachers--Kentucky Performing arts--Kentucky

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Interview Usage

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