SARASOTA (WSNN) – Dancers keep their dreams alive amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School won’t let quarantine stop them from ‘raising the barre.’
The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School started the year peaking, but then the coronavirus stopped the company in its tracks.
“The activity at the school was 100 percent; winning all these competitions, I won the ‘Best Teacher Award’ for the school, so it was a high, high moment for us,” Artistic Director and co-founder, Ariel Serrano, said. “And then all of a sudden, ‘boom,’ lights came off, and we are at the moment that we are.”
The school trains a diverse group of dancers from beginners to pre-professional, in the Cuban ballet style.
Artistic Director and co-founder, Ariel Serrano, says professional companies have shown great interest in six of their dancers.
Serrano says it’s a shame for dancers who were expected to shine this year.
One, in particular, is 15-year-old, Saela Rivera-Martinez. She performed at her first competition, Youth America Grand Prix, earlier this year, and received gold medals.
She says the coronavirus took her by surprise.
“It came out of nowhere,” Saela Rivera-Martinez. said. “We miss everybody in classes.”
But, while the COVID-19 crisis puts a pause on the company’s momentum, they remain ‘en pointe.’
Serrano is teaching virtual classes three times a week focusing on conditioning and technique.
“I see them doing ballet in their bedroom, in bathrooms, kitchens, rooms, you know, whatever, holding onto to the wall,” Serrano said.
He says while virtual classes opened up a window, it’s not a door.
“It’s not the ideal set-up and saturation for this type of art, but it is what we need to do now to be able to keep those kids engaged and sort of keep them in shape when this whole nightmare finishes,” Serrano said.
Saela says this pause has given her an opportunity to grow in different ways. Being at home has allowed her to learn from professionals online.
“I feel like I’ve learned a lot from them, and also, training at home, I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Saela said.
As a non-profit, Serrano says the April Giving Challenge is one of the most important days of the year for them to help students reach their goals.
“The community needs a place like ours, a place that being recognized nationally, that’s supporting kids in their professional path,” Serrano said.
For more information on the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School and its Giving Challenge, you can visit their website.
