Jaír F. Coll

Documentary photographer

The promises of Colombian ballet emerge in this academy

Follow Hire

Clients: The New York Times, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Reuters, Open Society Foundations

School: Universidad Autónoma de Occidente

Nicole Ramírez, 23, ...hern Cali, on October 11, 2022.

1 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Nicole Ramírez, 23, performs an acrobatics during a rehearsal by the professional company Incolballet in the halls of the former liquor store of Valle del Cauca department, in northern Cali, on October 11, 2022.

Samuel Portilla, 17, places his...Photo taken on October 6, 2022.

2 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Samuel Portilla, 17, places his hands on his chest in the dressing room of the Incolballet School, where children and adolescents attend grades six to eleven, in southern Cali. Photo taken on October 6, 2022.

A group of students from the In...earsal held on October 6, 2022.

3 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of students from the Incolballet School, in the south of Cali, are organized in two lines during a rehearsal held on October 6, 2022.

David Rojas, 15, poses for a po...ears of experience as a dancer.

4 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

David Rojas, 15, poses for a portrait in one of the rooms of the Incolballet School, in southern Cali, on October 6, 2022. The young man has eight years of experience as a dancer.

The teacher Natalia Berr&ia...h of Cali, on October 11, 2022.

5 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

The teacher Natalia Berríos, 46, takes note of the performance of the dancers of the professional company of Incolballet, in the north of Cali, on October 11, 2022.

A dancer puts makeup on her par...estival, held in mid-September.

6 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A dancer puts makeup on her partner backstage at the thirteenth version of the Cali International Ballet Festival, held in mid-September.

A group of dancers participate ...llet Festival, on September 15.

7 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of dancers participate in a presentation on Bulevar del Río, in downtown Cali, during the opening of the thirteenth version of the Cali International Ballet Festival, on September 15.

A dancer rehearses a posture at...estival, on September 15, 2022.

8 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A dancer rehearses a posture at the back of the stage for the Cali International Ballet Festival, on September 15, 2022.

A group of dancers from the Inc... rehearsal, on October 6, 2022.

9 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of dancers from the Incolballet School, in southern Cali, put their legs together after a rehearsal, on October 6, 2022.

Sofía Quintero, 13, ...r years of experience in dance.

10 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Sofía Quintero, 13, poses for a portrait in one of the rooms of the Incolballet School, in southern Cali, on October 6, 2022. The girl has four years of experience in dance.

A dancer from the professional ...hoto taken on October 11, 2022.

11 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A dancer from the professional company of Incolballet shows her right foot in a rehearsal room of said place, located in the north of Cali. Photo taken on October 11, 2022.

Viviana Chuaire, 23, practices ...n northern Cali, on October 11.

12 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Viviana Chuaire, 23, practices a series of steps during a rehearsal by the professional Incolballet company, in northern Cali, on October 11.

The teacher Natalia Berr&ia...ning of dance promises in Cali.

13 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

The teacher Natalia Berríos, 46, teaches a posture to the dancers of the professional company of Incolballet. Berríos was the First Dancer Star of the Santiago de Chile ballet. Since 2022 she has been dedicated to the training of dance promises in Cali.

Samuel Portilla, 17, laughs wit...Photo taken on October 6, 2022.

14 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Samuel Portilla, 17, laughs with his friends in the dressing room of the Incolballet School, where there are more than 1,500 pieces of clothing. Photo taken on October 6, 2022.

María Jos&eacute...thern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

15 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

María José Herrera, 10, poses for a portrait in one of the classrooms at the Incolballet School, in southern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

A group of students from the In... rehearsal, on October 6, 2022.

16 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of students from the Incolballet School, in the south of Cali, leave for the patio of the institution after finishing a rehearsal, on October 6, 2022.

Dancers from the professional c...hoto taken on October 11, 2022.

17 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Dancers from the professional company of Incolballet have lunch in a hall of the place after a class and a rehearsal of more than 4 hours. Photo taken on October 11, 2022.

A dancer from the professional ...class held on October 11, 2022.

18 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A dancer from the professional Incolballet company participates in a class held on October 11, 2022.

Viviana Chuaire, 23, is part of...re than 15 years of experience.

19 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Viviana Chuaire, 23, is part of the 25 members of the Incolballet professional company. The dancer has more than 15 years of experience.

Teacher Natalia Berr&iacute...l company, on October 11, 2022.

20 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Teacher Natalia Berríos, 46, improves the posture of Viviana Chuaire, 23, during a rehearsal by the Incolballet professional company, on October 11, 2022.

A group of dancers watch as a p...t company, on October 11, 2022.

21 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of dancers watch as a physical therapist massages Viviana Chuaire, 23, who sprained her right foot during a rehearsal by the professional Incolballet company, on October 11, 2022.

A group of dancers perform a re...colballet, on October 11, 2022.

22 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of dancers perform a rehearsal participate in a rehearsal of the professional company of Incolballet, on October 11, 2022.

A group of full-body garments -...thern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

23 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of full-body garments - known as maillots - hang in front of the dressing room of the Incolballet School, in southern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

Danna Sandoval, 23, poses for a...ience as a professional dancer.

24 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Danna Sandoval, 23, poses for a portrait at the facilities of the professional company Incolballet, in northern Cali, on October 11, 2022. Sandoval has six years of experience as a professional dancer.

A student from the Incolballet ...nstitution, on October 6, 2022.

25 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A student from the Incolballet School holds his partner during a rehearsal held at the institution, on October 6, 2022.

A group of dancers help David R...thern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

26 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of dancers help David Rojas, 15, to dress for a performance at the Incolballet School, in southern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

A group of professional dancers... Festival, on October 15, 2022.

27 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of professional dancers perform a presentation during the opening of the 13th version of the Cali International Ballet Festival, on October 15, 2022.

Brandon Andrés Ferna...hern Cali, on October 11, 2022.

28 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Brandon Andrés Fernandez, 18, poses for a portrait in a hallway of the professional company Incolballet, in northern Cali, on October 11, 2022.

Brandon Andrés Ferna...colballet, on October 11, 2022.

29 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Brandon Andrés Fernandez, 18, stretches his right leg in the middle of a rehearsal by the professional company Incolballet, on October 11, 2022.

A dancer practices a posture ba...estival, on September 15, 2022.

30 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A dancer practices a posture backstage at the 13th version of the Cali International Ballet Festival, on September 15, 2022.

A group of dancers performs dur...event has taken place outdoors.

31 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of dancers performs during the official opening of the 13th version of the Cali International Ballet Festival, on September 15, 2022. It is the first time that the event has taken place outdoors.

A group of students from the In...earsal held on October 6, 2022.

32 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

A group of students from the Incolballet School practice a series of steps during a rehearsal held on October 6, 2022.

Samuel Portilla, 17, poses for ...ld of dance at the age of nine.

33 of 33 © 2025 Jaír F. Coll

Samuel Portilla, 17, poses for a portrait in a hallway of the Incolballet School dressing room, on October 6, 2022. Portilla began to get involved in the world of dance at the age of nine.

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Close

Thumbnail of Nicole Ramírez, 23, p_thern Cali, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of Samuel Portilla, 17, places his _ Photo taken on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of students from the Inc_hearsal held on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of David Rojas, 15, poses for a por_years of experience as a dancer.

Thumbnail of The teacher Natalia Berr&iac_th of Cali, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A dancer puts makeup on her part_Festival, held in mid-September.

Thumbnail of A group of dancers participate i_allet Festival, on September 15.

Thumbnail of A dancer rehearses a posture at _Festival, on September 15, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of dancers from the Inco_a rehearsal, on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of Sofía Quintero, 13, p_ur years of experience in dance.

Thumbnail of A dancer from the professional c_Photo taken on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of Viviana Chuaire, 23, practices a_in northern Cali, on October 11.

Thumbnail of The teacher Natalia Berr&iac_ining of dance promises in Cali.

Thumbnail of Samuel Portilla, 17, laughs with_ Photo taken on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of María José_uthern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of students from the Inc_a rehearsal, on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of Dancers from the professional co_Photo taken on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A dancer from the professional I_ class held on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of Viviana Chuaire, 23, is part of _ore than 15 years of experience.

Thumbnail of Teacher Natalia Berrí_al company, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of dancers watch as a ph_et company, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of dancers perform a reh_ncolballet, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of full-body garments - _uthern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of Danna Sandoval, 23, poses for a _rience as a professional dancer.

Thumbnail of A student from the Incolballet S_institution, on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of dancers help David Ro_uthern Cali, on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of professional dancers _t Festival, on October 15, 2022.

Thumbnail of Brandon Andrés Fernan_thern Cali, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of Brandon Andrés Fernan_ncolballet, on October 11, 2022.

Thumbnail of A dancer practices a posture bac_Festival, on September 15, 2022.

Thumbnail of A group of dancers performs duri_ event has taken place outdoors.

Thumbnail of A group of students from the Inc_hearsal held on October 6, 2022.

Thumbnail of Samuel Portilla, 17, poses for a_rld of dance at the age of nine.

Public Project

The promises of Colombian ballet emerge in this academy

Copyright Jaír F. Coll 2025

Updated Jan 2023

Topics Media

Summary

After a pandemic that forced them to adapt to a change of pace, both the school and the Incolballet company keep this type of dance alive in Valle del Cauca department, in Colombia.

What is happening today at the facilities of the professional Incolballet company, in Cali, Colombia, is the antithesis of what was taking place during the pandemic. The rehearsals had to be carried out on Zoom, with about 30 people connected: if a dancer lost his rhythm, it could be his fault or that of his Wi-Fi service. In addition, virtual functions were more difficult, with hundreds of viewers connected from different parts of the world; and the physical presentations, when the masks erased half of the facial expression of a dancer. Today is different: the 25 members of the company dance side by side, hug each other during breaks and rehearse as Tchaikovsky's melodies resound throughout the hall.

En esta academia caleña surgen las promesas del ballet colombiano - Colombia Visible
Tras una pandemia que les obligó a un cambio de ritmo, la escuela yla compañía de Incolballet mantienen vivo el ballet en el Valle del Cauca.
Colombiavisible.com

1,996

Also by Jaír F. Coll —

The Guardian: A celebration of a child who never got to be born

Jun 5, 2024

For Bloomberg: Colombian Coffee Production As Total Global Exports Rise

May 14, 2024 - May 14, 2024

The New York Times: Curing Animals With Cannabis

Jaír F. Coll / Cali

Feb 13, 2024

NYT: Venezuelans Are Injecting New Life Into Colombian Baseball

Nov 27, 2023

For NYT: Opening up the eclipse to people who cannot see it

Jaír F. Coll / Palmira

Oct 14, 2023 - Oct 14, 2023

“Ser barra sí nos dio de comer”

Oct 4, 2023

The Guardian: Lela MC, the 12-year-old who is a big presence on Bogotá’s rap scene

Jaír F. Coll / Bogotá

Dec 17, 2022 - Dec 22, 2022

Bloomberg: Colombia urge evacuations as volcano threatens to erupt

Jaír F. Coll / Murillo, Tolima

Apr 8, 2023 - Apr 9, 2023

New York Times: Christmas in February

Jaír F. Coll / Jamundí

Feb 6, 2023 - Apr 16, 2023

Life-changing symphony in Cali, Colombia

Jaír F. Coll / Cali

Dec 3, 2022 - Jan 13, 2023

B-Migrant - for NPR

Jaír F. Coll / Colombia

Sep 23, 2022

Music in blood, trans in the soul - For Baudó AP

Jaír F. Coll / Cali

Aug 10, 2022 - Aug 13, 2022

Snapshots of resistence

Jaír F. Coll / Cali

May 1, 2021 - Jun 8, 2021

The colombian capital of salsa tries to save itself

Jaír F. Coll / Cali

May 20, 2020 - Jun 30, 2020

The miracle of the San Miguel nursing home

Jaír F. Coll / Cali

Nov 15, 2020 - Dec 24, 2020

Samara, a Zika daughter

Jaír F. Coll / Colombia

Feb 1, 2019 - May 7, 2019

Black Baby Jesus was born in February

Jaír F. Coll / Quinamayó

Apr 15, 2022

Sign-up for
For more access