My wife Lisa came across a Ballet video on Facebook  of Adiarys Almeida and Joseph Gatti performing at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2006. I could hear the music of “Le Corsaire” in my living room and I thought, is Lisa watching a ballet video? That is usual for her… I think it is a natural thing for dancers (or any artist) to be attracted to virtuosity. It is like the louder the public screamed, the more curious I became . I finally walked over to Lisa and peeked over her shoulder to see what all the fuss was about…. and so it began.

 

Time goes fast when you are watching Adiarys. I would not suggest viewing a video before appointments or in short breaks. It is addictive. You cant just watch one. Every video you come across is better than the one before it.  Adiarys is amazing. She turns and jumps like a man. Her technique is impressively clean and solid. Her musicality is excellent. She is smooth, dynamic, and expressive. Adiarys makes any variation look  easy. At first glance it can seem to good too be true. Once the initial shock is gone,  she is joy to watch… and watch…

 

Adiarys was born and raised in Matanzas,Cuba. Her professional training include the Vocational Art School “Alfonso Perez Isaac” in Matanzas and the National Ballet School in Havana. After graduating in 2001, she joined the National Ballet of Cuba, under the direction of Alicia Alonso.  She participated in the International Ballet Competition of Havana,Cuba,were she received the Silver Medal in 1997 and 1998. She later returned won the Gold Medal in 1999 and 2000. In 1999 Adiarys participated in the International Dance Competition in Nagoya,Japan and the Gala of the Ballet Muses in Tokyo as the partner of Rolando Sarabia. She was also the first Cuban female dancer to be a finalist at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2006.

 

She has danced every principal role a ballerina could dream of. Including Aurora and Princess Florine in Ashton’s and Kirk Peterson’s “Sleeping Beauty”, Odette-Odile in Angel Corella, Clara in Alicia Alonso’s “The Nutcracker”, Carmen in Kirk Peterson’s “Carmen”, Gamzatti and The First Shades variation in Natalia Makarova’s “La Bayadere”, Swanilda and Waltz Variation in Balanchine’s “Coppelia”  Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen and Dew Drop in Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker”, Three Gypsies in John Cranko’s “Romeo and Juliet”,  Amour, Maid of Honor and Kitri’s Friend’s in Nureyev’s “Don Quixote”. Adiarys has also performed many ballets from different choreographers like George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Arthur Saint-Leon, Clark Tippet, Christopher Wheeldon, Harald Lander, Wayne McGregor, Jiri Kylian, Stanton Welch, Jerome Robbins, Jorma Elo, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Angel Corella, Darrell Grand Moultrie,Trey McIntyre and many others.

 

Adiarys has been invited to perform as a Principal Guest Artist with Ballet Concerto de Puerto Rico,The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, The Miami International Ballet Festival, The Baltic Ballet Festival, The NBA Ballet in Japan, The Slovene National Opera and Ballet, The Stars of the 21st Century Ballet Gala in Bucarest, The USAIBC Galas,Open Dance Festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Ballet Met, The Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition and many other Galas and important stages around the world.

 

Adiarys is presently a Principal Guest Artist. Former Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet Principal Dancer and First Soloist with Boston Ballet.

 

Thank you, Adiarys,  for your inspiration.

 

What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you are doing now?

 

My biggest passion was painting. But I had the artist in me since I was very little. I was always giving shows, dressing up, dancing and singing around the house.I have never though I was going to be a ballerina. Even though I starter at age 6, I didn’t take so serious until later in my career.

Adairys’ Favorite Things

 

Favorite thing to eat?

 

Anything with Rice ( Paella, Fried Rice, Sushi, etc… ), Anything with Corn ( Corn Tamale ), Avocado, Plantain Chips

 

 Favorite Books?

 

La Edad de Oro by José Martí, Love Poems by Paulo Coelho

Favorite Movies?

 

The Notebook, Braveheart, First Knight

Favorite Dance Piece?

 

All ballets by Jiri Kylian. “Bella Figura” is one of my favorites.

 Favorite Show?

 

Magic Shows by David Copperfield

 I like dancers who…

 

…dance with their heart and make me feel something special. Dance isn’t just about the technique. You have to express your feelings and emotions through the movements.

 

 I am afraid of…

 

…snakes

 A dance piece should…

 

…Have a good balance. A great combination of technique and artistry to make it more interesting and challenging for the dancers.

 

Something you like to do other than dancing?

 

I’m very crafty. I like to paint, sew, design and decorate my own costumes. I love teaching ballet and I love spending time with friends and family. I also like the warm weather and I love to fall sleep at the beach. Is so relaxing!

 

One of the happiest moments in your life?

 

When I went back to Cuba after 5years without seeing my family and got to kiss and hug all of them. Specially my beautiful mom. Also this past year I was so happy to give my parents the satisfaction to visit the United States and be with me for 5 months. They had never travel outside of Cuba. So everything was new and exciting for them. They also saw me perform live after 10 years. I was so happy!!!

One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

 

I have danced for Sophia the Queen of Spain and I got to meet her afterwards. That was super cool! Many years ago I have dance at a big art event in Cuba and I don’t know how it happened but we all ended up having dinner with Fidel Castro afterwards. I got to seat next to him. That was crazy and super unusual.

 

One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

 

When I was 18 years old and I wasjust starting to rise at the Cuban National Ballet I got to dance “Munecos” one of my favorites Cuban ballets by choreographer Alberto Mendez. This performance was broadcast live on TV for the whole country. There were so many important people in the audience, and many of my family and friends where watching.  I slipped and I fell on the floor in the middle of my solo. I was so embarrassed.

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

 

My mother! I have always been so inspired by my mom. She lost my father when I was one and half year old and she was a very young single mother for a while until she re-married my stepfather 3 years later. She has always given me the best education, and pushed me in the right directions. Always have respected my decisions and given me the freedom to live my life. She also have given me an amazing support through this difficult career that I have chosen. She is my biggest role model. I love my Mom!I’m very thankful to all my teachers. But the most influential people in my career are Yolanda Dominguez, Martha Iris Fernandez and Magaly Suarez. They have tough me almost everything and thanks to them I’m the dancer I’m today.

One of the hardest things about being a director/Performer?

 

I found the harder thing about been a dancer today, is being able to play the politics in order to survive in a ballet company . I can’t do it… I like to get recognize and get the opportunities for the work I do everyday in the studios and on stage.

 

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

 

I don’t know… I like to enjoy the journey and be surprise by life. Don’t like to think so much about tomorrow. However life goes around and you never know what’s in store for you. I hope I will be happy and healthy and I will be able to look back and feel proud of what I have accomplished.

Three words to describe yourself….

 

Energetic, Generous, Honest ( Too much sometimes, lol…)

 A question you want to know the answer to:

 

Where is technology going to bring us ? I feel like is getting crazy…. We don’t talk to people anymore… We talk to machines… Kids don’t have a normal social life, they play video games all day… I hope we aren’t going to turn into robots…

 Dear Aspiring Artists,

 

Be yourself. Love your art. Embrace it with passion because it goes by fast.

– Adairys Almeida

Photo Journal

 

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

My mom and I. I think I was 2 years old.

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.comMe in Varadero Beach, Matanzas, Cuba in 2011

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

Dancing Gamzatti in Natalia Makarova’s La Bayadere. Teatro Real de Madrid with Corella Ballet in 2008 Photo by Rosalie O’ Connor

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

Dancing Carnaval in Venice at the Dance Open Ballet Festival in Saint-Petersburg, Russia in 2010 – Photo by Gene Schiavone

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

Swan Lake photoshoot with Herman Cornejo. Spain 2010. Photo by Manuel de Los Galanes

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

Nikiya in Magaly Suarez’s La Bayadere in 2013

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

Le Corsaire pas de Deux with my boyfriend. Boston Ballet Gala 2010 Photo by Gene Schiavone

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

With my boyfriend in 2013.

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

Dancing with my boyfriend in Victoria Morgan’s Romeo & Juliet with Cincinnati Ballet in 2007. Photo by Rene Micheo

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

With my mom in Boston in 2013

Adiarys Almeida on Interview En L'air - armandobraswell.com

 My boyfriend and I during a photoshoot in Cincinnati in 2008. Photo by Peter Mueller

More info on Adiarys on her Facebook Fanpage Have you seen Adiarys live? Or worked with her ? This is the time to show Adiarys some love! Share your stories in the comments below!

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Main photo : © Rosalie O’Connor

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