Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez: A Legacy of Leadership, Education, and Cultural Empowerment
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Nydia Padilla-Rodriguez is a dynamic educator, arts leader, and community advocate whose career spans over four decades of service to Rochester and beyond. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Borinquen Dance Theatre, Inc. (BDT), Nydia has dedicated 43 years to fostering cultural pride, discipline, and life skills in urban and at-risk youth through the transformative power of dance.
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Under her leadership, BDT has become a beacon for Latino arts and education, blending the rich cultural traditions of Puerto Rico—Taino, African, and European influences—with modern techniques. The organization has touched the lives of thousands of youth, offering programs that combine rigorous dance training with essential life lessons in teamwork, leadership, and academic achievement. Many BDT alumni have gone on to successful careers in the arts, education, and community leadership, citing Nydia's mentorship as pivotal in their journeys.
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Beyond BDT, Nydia has an extensive career in public service and education. She served as an administrator implementing strategic programming that engaged colleges and universities, community organizations, and businesses for the Rochester City School District, leading initiatives to improve student outcomes and community engagement. Her efforts focused on equity, cultural competence, and creating pathways for student success.
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Nydia's professional journey also includes work with community development organizations and collaborations with local and national institutions to promote arts education. Her visionary leadership has garnered numerous accolades, including awards for cultural preservation, youth development, and civic engagement.
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A tireless advocate for the arts, education, and social justice, Nydia continues to inspire through her dedication to empowering young people, fostering cultural understanding, and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Jayme Bermudez
Assistant Artistic Director,
Borinquen Dance Theatre
Community Volunteer Award Recipient
Adjunct Professor at Nazareth University
Jayme Bermudez, an artist specializing in Dance and Theater from Rochester, NY. He has dedicated his career to working with underrepresented communities, particularly at-risk youth with limited access to the arts. Through the power of theater and dance, he aims to raise awareness about social issues and help students express themselves through the arts. Currently serving as the Assistant Artistic Director at Borinquen Dance Theater he has played a key role in developing new programs, creating innovative dance pieces, and building community connections.
His projects include the following:
- The Liberty Project, a collaboration with the City of Rochester and Monroe Community College, which focused on the liberation of the African Diaspora.
- "Peter and The Wolf" as "Pedro and The Wolf," in partnership with the City of Rochester and Geva Theater, infusing Latinx music themes and instruments to promote inclusivity in the beloved story.
- Wizard of Oz at Geva Theater, where he served as Associate Director and Associate Choreographer, featuring a diverse LGBTQIA+ cast in a reimagined production.
- He is actively involved in Geva Theater's community engagement committee, where they strive to find innovative ways to connect with the surrounding communities through captivating events that are related to our shows.
- Blackfriars Theater on their production of Once on This Island, where he served as the choreographer and Cultural Consultant. The show received well-deserved recognition, earning nominations for 6 Broadway World Awards, and critics praised its authentic portrayal of Afro-Caribbean movement and themes.
- One of his most notable achievements was his involvement in the production of In the Heights with NTID/RIT, where he served as the Choreographer. This production was especially empowering as it showed a fully fronted Deaf Actor musical. Not only did it bring attention to the underrepresented Latinx deaf and hard of hearing community, but it also emphasized the importance of Deaf Theater.
He has also dedicated over 20 years of working with at risk you specifically Latinx and African American students. His work with Ibero American Action League placed him in schools such as Monroe, Franklin, East, Edison and Charlotte running a mentorship program with a case load of 75 students helping them get on track for graduation.
Damaris Lissette Santos
Instructor/Artistic Choreographer
Borinquen Dance Theatre, Jr.
Community Volunteer Award Recipient
Damaris Lissette Santos was born and raised in Rochester, NY. She is a graduate from the Rochester City School District's School of the Arts, Class of 2011 as a Dance major. She then went on to pursue her education at MCC. She is currently a full time Assistant Manager at AT&T in addition to working with BDT. Damaris is also an Alumni of BDT.
She began dancing at Little Red Dance Studio competing across the US in cities like Las Vegas, NY and Orlando in the styles of tap, jazz, and ballet. Her group won many Regional Competitions and National titles. She wanted to learn more outside of competing and to also contribute to her community in a different way. She was introduced to Borinquen Dance Company at the age of 10 where she embraced her love for cultural dancing. She began dedicating her youth to assisting with Borinquen Dance Theatre from the ages 10-21. She began peer mentoring for the age group 10-12 and performed as a principal dancer in the senior company at the age of 12, while still assisting with leading the younger group. During her time as a BDT Performer, she experienced dancing at many local events like the Puerto Rican Festival, Fundraisers, the inauguration of the City’s mayor just to name a few. These experiences helped her grow as a dancer and an individual.
Most recently, Damaris began working and volunteering her time as the coordinator for the children’s program at Borinquen Dance Theatre in March 2024, both choreographing and teaching fundamentals for performing.
The children performing today have learned a total of two pieces, a traditional Bomba and Plena, within a five-month period. They have performed for the Rochester Puerto Rican Festival, Syracuse Latin Festival, Red Wings Coco Locos Night, Rochester City Hall, Hispanic Heritage at the Memorial Art Gallery and Rochester City’s own School 46. Damaris continues her dedication to Borinquen Dance Theatre because it continues to provide diversity to the community supporting children of all backgrounds. Through her teaching styles and methods, Damaris has implemented the importance of discipline and consistency. Most importantly, the children have an increased understanding of self-esteem and self-respect to carry them in places inside and outside of the studio. Damaris is grateful to the community for having placed trust in her to continue guiding the youth in a positive environment, where all children are safe and welcome to express themselves in the art of dance.
Fun fact about BDT, it is passed on from generation to generation. Damaris’ 8-year-old daughter is also her student.