Artist in Residence (AIR)

Artist in Residence
MELANIE LEYVA DE ARMAS
Melanie is originally from Cuba. She trained at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana, Cuba. She graduated from the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School with a degree in dance as a Dancer and Ballet Teacher. She trained under Ramona de Saa, Fernando Alonso, Aurora Bosch, and Loipa Araujo. She received additional training under the incredible Julio Boca, Katherine Zuasnabar, Julio Arozarena, Joel Carreño, and Jose Manuel Careño. Her artistic performances include the classic repertoires such as, Giselle, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Carmen, Don Quixote, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Paquita, and The Sleeping Beauty. Melanie joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 2018 and danced until February 2024 where she danced major roles such as Clara in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Swan Lake, Carmen, Seventh Symphony, Flower Festival of Genzano, and many others. She has traveled internationally with the National Ballet of Cuba to the United Arab Emirates, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Spain.

Artist in Residence
VICTOR MANUEL ALVAREZ CUENCA
Victor is originally from Cuba where he trained at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana, Cuba from 2012 to 2021. He graduated from the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School with a degree in dance as a Dancer and Ballet Teacher. He trained under Ramona de Saa, Fernando Alonso, Aurora Bosch, and Loipa Araujo. He has also received more training under the incredible Julio Boca, Katherine Zuasnabar, Julio Arozarena, Joel Carreño, and Jose Manuel Careño. Victor joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 2021 and danced until February 2024. He danced major roles in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Swan Lake, and Carmen. He has worked with world renowned choreographers such as Ben Stevenson and Radmasky. Victor has traveled internationally with the National Ballet of Cuba to the United Arab Emirates, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Spain.
