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Caridad Martinez
Ballet
Biography:
Caridad Martinez graduated from the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba. She studied with, Fernando & Alicia Alonso, Joaquin Banegas, Azary Plisetski, Ramona de Saa, Karemia Moreno, and Jose Pares. As principal dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba she performed in the most important theaters in Europe, North and South Americas and Asia, with a repertory that included all the classical repertory plus choreographies of Balanchine, Brian Mac Donald , Alberto Mendez , Alberto Alonso, Gustavo Herrera, Iván Tenorio.After leaving the National Ballet of Cuba, Martinez created and led The Havana Ballet Theater through a theater creative concept that transformed the performing arts in Cuba during the 80s. She also went on to choreograph for the Hispanic Heritage Awards, and for the acclaimed Julian Schnabel film Before Night Falls. She coached for Pro Danza group, integrated by the most talented young Cuban dancers, under the direction of Laura Alonso. Martinez was also Director of the Cuban Ballet School in Veracruz, Mexico and was distinguished with the honorary membership of the Dance Educators of Mexico and Dance Educators of America. She has received numerous awards for her dance and theater choreographies, including an award from The Association of Writers and Artists in Cuba for two consecutive years, Cuban Cultural Center of New York, Veracruz State Government and BBB Montana
In New York, Martinez has shared her expertise as Director of the Brooklyn Ballet School and Conservatory, Director of the Ballet & Curriculum Training Program at Ballet Hispanico, and faculty and Summer Program Director at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. International She has guest taught for the Alberta Ballet School in Canada, Annarella Conservatory in Leiria, Portugal and Goh Academie School in Vancouver, Panama, Dominican Republic, Mexico. She was a special guest of JKO School Director, Cynthia Harvey to share the Cuban Ballet Methodology with teachers and students at the Raising the Barre series at ABT, as well to the Romanticism Ballet serie of the same program. As well as been featured in Pointe Magazine about Cuban School.
Martinez currently serves as faculty member of JKO the ABT upper level ballet school, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Ailey/Fordham and Certificate programs, coach of Classical works for Dance Theater of Harlem, serves on the board of Ballet Beyond Borders, is a Member of the International Dance Council and is working on an oral history project about her life and career under the auspices of the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU with Elizabeth Schwall.
Class Description:
This class offers a unique opportunity to be immersed in the Cuban Methodology. Experience this world renowned technique in a class focused on movement quality, strong physicality, dynamic timing, alignment, and most importantly, fun. Martinez incorporates challenging movement, individualized corrections, strong technical training, and a positive environment to encourage the expression of personal artistry.