. >> reporter: enter homer hans bryant, whose multi-cultural dance studio in chicago became like herie -- >> reporter: 13 years ago, ryans took a daring step, creating a unique new form of dance he called hiplet, a vibrant mix of ballet and hip-hop that builds on classic techniques. >> when i opened my school in the 1990s, i said to myself, how do i capture african american kids? 1993, '94? i rwent to a rap concert. lots and lots of teenagers. the audience singing everything and rapping and having a good time. i walked away with this. if i could put rap and ballet together, to keep kids engaged, because they have the rap caid depos cadence, i would come off with a hilt. >> reporter: with dancers on pointe, wearing tights and leotards, but fused with its polar opposite. >> we're trained in tradition. they have to study classical ballet and all the pointe techniques. but with depth and versatility. they can do african and pointe, latin and pointe, jazz, contemporary. they can do anything on pointe. >> reporter: brian's goal was to make a diverse space for ballet dancers of all colors,