Faculty

Valia Gonzalez, born and raised in ‘Havana, Cuba’ -where she began her dance career at the age of 9 at the highly respected ‘National School of Ballet’. Upon her graduation as a professional ballerina, she was accepted into the world renowned ‘Ballet Nacional de Cuba’. Under the direction of Alicia Alonso she went on to dance as a soloist for the following six years. As a member of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, she performed in a variety of international tours with many other notable artists; also, taking part in the highly acclaimed bi-annual celebration of the ‘International Ballet Festival’ in Havana, Cuba. In 1997, Ms. Gonzalez left Cuba to join the ‘Compañia-Nacional de Danza’ of Mexico City as a first soloist. Her extensive classical repertoire performance experience includes several principal roles; most notably ‘Swan Lake’, ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘Giselle’ and ‘Coppelia’. She has worked with many highly respected, influential ballet masters and choreographers; Alicia Alonso, Asari Plizetski, Loipa Araujo, Stanton Welch, Josefina Mendez, Aurora Bosch, David Howard, and Fernando Bujones to name a
few. In 2002, Ms. Gonzalez arrived in the United States at which time she trained with Miami City Ballet Company initiating her appreciation of the Ballanchine style. She went on to join ‘Ballet Florida’ for three seasons, at which time she had the pleasure of working first hand with Stanton Welch during his production of ‘Dracula’. Valia Gonzalez went on to perform at ‘Miami Ballet Festival’ with influential local dance companies such as The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and Brazarte Dance Company. Ms. Gonzalez has developed a long-term professional relationship with personal fitness coach for dancers, Vicente Hernandez. This partnership has led to the creation and development of a highly specialized and effective, strength and conditioning program for students and professional dancers alike. With a strong focus on the performers endurance, technical virtuosity and passionate execution of choreography, Ms Valia has applied this highly specialized program to her students with noteworthy and enviable results. Ms Gonzalez became part of the Miami City Ballet School faculty in 2013, instructing students with multiple levels of ballet training; specializing in the proper execution of classical ballet technique and European Character dances. Moved by her extreme dedication & passion for dance; Ms. Gonzalez has founded ‘Miami Cuban Ballet School’ in order to shape and support the next generation of talented and successful dancers.
Artistic Statement
I founded ‘Miami Cuban Ballet School’ as a means to transmit my knowledge, expertise and discipline to the next generation of dancers, performers and artists; from all walks of life. As an educator, choreographer, and sole artistic director of ‘Miami Cuban Ballet School’: my aim is to encourage my students to achieve their full potential as dancers. Inspiring their passion and commitment to my beloved art form. I believe, knowledgeable and positive encouragement are paramount to success in many, if not all endeavors. Loving support, and mutual respect is essential to the development of self-confidence. My professional experience has taught me to accept, and celebrate my varied student’s cultures, and beliefs. Helping them to accept their own idiosyncrasies, while teaching them to treat others in similar fashion. My most cherished desire is to teach my students with compassion, love and dedication so they may take pride in the fruition of their hard work, in dance, as with all other aspirations.