Rising Stars: Meet Carlos Quenedit of Cincinnati

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Quenedit.

Hi Carlos, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where my journey as a ballet dancer began. I graduated from the Cuban National Ballet School in 2004 and was honored to join the prestigious National Ballet of Cuba under the legendary direction of Alicia Alonso. During my three years with the company, I was promoted to soloist at the age of 21. While I was deeply proud of this achievement, I yearned to explore a more diverse and versatile repertoire—an artistic journey that ultimately led me to some of the most renowned ballet stages in the world.

After leaving Cuba, my first opportunity came with Ballet de Monterrey in Mexico. That experience holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first company to offer me a contract and believe in me outside my home country. Shortly after, I joined Miami City Ballet under the direction of Edward Villella. It was a turning point in my development as a dancer, requiring me to adapt my classical training to the distinctive Balanchine style. I am incredibly grateful for that experience, as it helped shape both the dancer and the artist I became. During my time there, I performed as a soloist.

I later returned to Ballet de Monterrey, where I was welcomed back with open arms and offered a position as a principal dancer. There, I had the opportunity to perform many leading roles and further develop my artistry. Then came a life-changing moment: I was offered a soloist contract with San Francisco Ballet—one of the most respected ballet companies in the world. Being accepted into this incredible institution felt like the fulfillment of a long-held dream.

At the age of 26, after just two years with San Francisco Ballet, I was promoted to Principal Dancer. It was a defining milestone in my career. I spent the majority of my professional life with the company, surrounded by immensely talented artists, musicians, and crew members who created a culture of support, excellence, and collaboration. The sense of family and the pursuit of artistic growth made my time there truly unforgettable. I had the privilege of dancing many principal roles I had always aspired to, and I feel proud and fulfilled by everything I accomplished during those years.

During my time with San Francisco Ballet, I had the privilege of performing leading roles in productions by some of the most esteemed choreographers in the world, including George Balanchine, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe, Helgi Tomasson, Yuri Possokhov, Justin Peck, Liam Scarlett, Natalia Makarova, John Cranko, Rudolf Nureyev, Wayne McGregor, Hans van Manen, Jerome Robbins, among others.

Toward the end of my performing career, I returned to Miami City Ballet, where I once again immersed myself in the Balanchine repertoire that had become such an important part of my identity as a dancer. I hold great respect for the George Balanchine Trust and its répétiteurs, and I consider it a privilege to have performed so many of his iconic works throughout my career.

In addition, I was fortunate to appear as a principal guest artist with esteemed companies such as The Joffrey Ballet—where I danced in the world premiere of Don Quixote—Houston Ballet, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and many others. I also had the honor of touring internationally as a principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet, performing in cities like Paris, London, and Italy.

Earlier in my career, while still in Cuba, I had the privilege of winning the Gold Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Havana—a moment that continues to inspire and ground me.

Reflecting on my career, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunities I had, the people I worked with, and the stages I performed on. Every step shaped who I am, and I carry those experiences with me with pride and humility

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth journey—I don’t believe there’s a smooth road in life. One of the most difficult parts for me was leaving my family behind in Cuba. I’ve been on my own since I was 21 years old. Every step I took came with sacrifice, uncertainty, and moments of deep solitude. But those challenges also shaped my resilience and made every achievement along the way even more meaningful.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
After retiring from the stage, I transitioned into teaching and coaching, working closely with professional dancers as a coach and mentor. I also teach ballet at all levels—from beginners to advanced—using the Cuban methodology, which emphasizes both technical precision and expressive artistry. In addition to teaching, I stage ballets and take on all responsibilities associated with a rehearsal director.

I bring experience in leadership roles within the studio and rehearsal space, and beyond my dance career, I’ve continued to grow professionally in other areas. I hold a Computer Science certification from Harvard University, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner certification, and a Database Management certification from IBM.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Always keep growing. Stay focused, and remain humble in everything you do. Treat others with respect and kindness. Trust that your time will come when it’s meant to—everything happens for a reason. One day you may feel on top of the world, and the next, you might find yourself facing challenges. Life is a roller coaster, full of highs and lows. What matters most is how you move forward—grounded, grateful, and proud of all that you’ve accomplished along the way.

Contact Info:

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