The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School

WHO WE ARE

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School (SCBS) trains dancers of all ages in the Cuban ballet style. It is a place where a young artist can grow and excel on the pathway to becoming a professional dancer – where a dancer can receive the training, support and experience needed to launch a career. Professional caliber productions give dancers opportunities to perform major roles in well-known classics and original contemporary works, opportunities they may not have for many years with a company. SCBS was established in 2011 and since 2014 has been producing professional caliber performances at Sarasota’s major venues to rave reviews and audience comments expressing disbelief that they have not witnessed a performance by a professional company.

The Cuban style combines the best of more traditional Russian and French techniques infused with the beauty and excitement of Cuban flair, where dancers legs are highly elevated without sacrificing line, men's jumps appear to defy gravity, and partnering reflects the relationship between the man and the woman.

Dancers trained in Cuban style technique are sought by companies worldwide. Our graduates are members of The Royal Ballet (UK), Birmingham Ballet (UK), Sarasota Ballet, Boston Ballet, State Street Ballet, and Ballet West, among others. Our students win medals at prestigious competitions. 2020 YAGP awards at various regional competitions include 1st place classical & pas de deux, grand prix award, and outstanding teacher.

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School was founded by husband and wife Ariel Serrano & Wilmian Hernandez, who trained at La Escuela Nacional de Ballet de Cuba and danced principal roles internationally. SCBS has classes for all ages, taught by Serrano, Hernandez and a staﬀ of Cuban trained Master Teachers. The heart of the program is a 2 part pre-professional program (school year & summer intensive) for committed talented young dancers who want to pursue professional careers. World class training, success of students and graduates, and professional performances contribute to SCBS’ recognition as a premier US destination for Cuban Ballet training. Serrano, Hernandez and the other Master Teachers push the students to perform to the highest level possible. Sean Miller, YAGP Grand Prix winner describes it, “The atmosphere is so nurturing as well as so supportive and everyone is such a family yet the training is strict and demanding. They draw out nothing but the best of you every day in class. Even when you don’t believe that you can do it, they make you prove to yourself that you can.”