Remembering Cuban ballet legend Fernando Alonso

Remembering Cuban ballet legend Fernando Alonso
Remembering Cuban ballet legend Fernando Alonso

Remembering Cuban ballet legend Fernando Alonso

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Fernando Alonso, legendary dancer and co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba, died on July 27th at age 98. Alonso began his career in 1935, performing for the American Ballet Theatre for eight years and receiving numerous accolades. After moving back to his native Havana, Cuba, Alonso joined the Ballet Alicia Alonso, which later became the National Ballet of Cuba. As one of the first Cuban men to train in classical ballet, Alonso served as a mentor to others. Ariel Serrano, founder and director of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, was one of Alonso’s students. Serrano tells us about the influence that Alonso had on modern ballet. (Photo: AP Images).