About us

 
 
 

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School (SCBS) is a premier destination for Cuban training in the United States. Classes are small and taught by an international faculty following the renowned Cuban method. The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School was founded in 2011 by the Cuban-born husband and wife team of Ariel Serrano and Wilmian Hernández. Serrano and Hernández trained at the elite National Ballet School of Cuba and performed internationally with Ballet de Camagüey and Ballet de Monterrey. In 1993, they moved to Sarasota, where they continued their professional careers as principal dancers with The Sarasota Ballet until their retirement. The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School was designated a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 2014.

In conjunction with the school’s 10th anniversary, SCBS moved to its new home at 4740 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota, Florida. The magnificent building designed by award-winning Sarasota architect Guy Peterson is located on 9 acres of protected wetlands and gives the school ample studio space and room to grow, plus a perfect environment for black box performances

At SCBS, Serrano and Hernández, along with a team of award-winning instructors, teach dance classes at all levels for students ages three and up. SCBS doors are always open for those who love to dance, whether they are interested in dancing professionally or are just interested in ballet as a recreational activity.

The heart of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School is its Pre-Professional Program, a rigorous training course that prepares talented, serious young dancers for professional careers. Students of SCBS have gone on to perform with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Washington Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and many other national and international professional companies.

The Cuban Style

 
 

SCBS is one of the few schools in the US specializing in the Cuban training method, which is renowned for its athleticism, passion, and grace. Developed in the 1940s by Cuban dancer Fernando Alonso, this training method has produced some of the world’s best dancers. It draws on elements from Russian, British, French, and Italian styles and adapts them to the Caribbean character. From day one, training emphasizes balance, turning prowess, flexibility, jump elevation, dynamism, and partnering. The result is dancers who are technically gifted and artistically charismatic.

We Are

 
 

  • Instilling the basics on our youngest, teaching a solid base for our intermediate students, and preparing our emerging talent to perform at the most advanced level. At SCBS, we provide a comprehensive ballet program in a fun, nurturing, and supportive environment.

  • An expert faculty of former professional dancers, who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experiences with the next generation of talented young dancers.

  • Fostering global understanding through the art of dance with expert instruction by both resident and international guest faculty.

  • Recruiting international, national, and community-based students.

  • Offering scholarship assistance for students in financial need.

  • Promoting student and instructor exchanges with dance schools across the country and abroad.

  • Presenting outstanding performances by guest artists and pre-professional students.