Famed Venezuelan dancer Tina Ramirez died on Tuesday, Sept. 6 surrounded by her family at her home, but it was not until Sept. 9 that it was announced through a press release from the Hispanic Ballet of New York.

Ramirez, described as a "visionary" and "innovator," arrived in New York with her family when she was six years old, founded the Hispanic Ballet of New York in 1970 and served as its artistic director until 2009.

Under her direction, more than 45 choreographers created works for the company, many of international stature and others in the early stages of their careers. Some of those stars include Talley Beatty, considered one of the world's best Black choreographers; Spain's Ramón Oller, winner of countless awards; Bolivia's María Rivera; and William Whitener, also a dancer, educator and director, among many others.

"I am heartbroken by the news of Tina's passing. Her legacy lives on not only in the extraordinary gift she left to the world, but in each and every person, child, artist and family member she touched and inspired," said Eduardo Vilaró, the dance group's artistic director and executive director, through the official statement. 

For more than 50 years, the Hispanic Ballet of New York has been a catalyst for social change and is now the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States, and one of the country's cultural treasures.

Today, its New York headquarters houses a dance school and state-of-the-art dance studios for its programs and the artistic community.