Norberto Basilio Mowatt was born to Sarah Reid and Jim Mowatt, on December  6, 1964. He attended elementary school at Escuela República de Chile and obtained  his high school diploma at Instituto Nacional de Panamá. From the early stages  of his life until his death, Basilio displayed a dynamic and enthusiastic personality,  which was always reflected by his numerous enrollments in cultural activities,  such as “Conjunto Tipico Panameño”  

He migrated to the United States of America in 1985 and soon enrolled in the  Marketing Studies program at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York. While  he resided in New York, Basilio dedicated a large part of his life to promoting the  Panamanian culture and native dance. He was the founder of Ballet Folklórico  Panameño Canta y Baila 1994; now known as Ballet Folklórico Panameño  Norberto Basilio Mowatt.  

After his passing in 1994, this group has remained strong and flourishes with  participants past and present. Our group consists of children from the age of five  to adults. We have weekly practices on Fridays at Middle School 2 on Parkside  and Nostrand in Brooklyn, New York.  

The group continues to perform at numerous functions, such as churches,  weddings, birthdays, schools, cultural events, etc. We are proud of our children,  most of whom were born in America to Panamanian parents. We welcome one  and all.