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Lina Pinto is a Colombian dancer, educator, and cultural advocate based in Minnesota, United States. Her journey in dance began at the age of five, when she started training in Colombian folkloric dance, developing a deep appreciation and love for the traditions and cultural expressions of her homeland from an early age.
During her youth, she became a member of the Ballet Folclórico de Paipa, where she strengthened her technical skills and stage experience. She later joined the Compañía Internacional de Danza de Paipa, performing with the company for several years and shaping the artist she is today. Through this experience, she trained and performed in a wide range of dance styles, including Colombian folklore, international folk dance, salsa, bachata, hip hop, contemporary dance, and ballet.
Throughout her artistic career, Lina participated in numerous prestigious festivals and events across Colombia, representing the richness of Colombian culture on important national stages. She also had the opportunity to share her artistry internationally through cultural performances and exchanges in Mexico and Brazil.
In 2018, Lina moved to the United States, where she continued sharing her passion for dance by participating in various cultural and folkloric organizations within the Latino community. Inspired by the power of the arts to connect people across cultures and generations, she officially founded Ritmo Latino Dance Company in 2024.
Today, as the director of Ritmo Latino, her mission is to preserve and celebrate the richness of Latin American traditions while creating spaces where children, youth, and adults can discover the joy of dance, build confidence, and find a community where they belong.
For Lina, dance is much more than movement—it is identity, memory, education, connection, and a profound love for one's roots.