The Company 
Giselle Gala 2011 Stars' Bios
Giselle Gala 2011 Stars' Bios
 | Dagmar Moradillos - Dagmar Moradillos was born in Havana, Cuba where she began her ballet training at La Escuela Nacional de Arte. After graduating, she joined Ballet Nacional de Cuba where she was eventually named a principal dancer. During her time with Ballet Nacional de Cuba she performed the principal roles in all the major classical ballets like Giselle, Don Quijote, Swan Lake,Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia and toured the world extensively. At the 1984 International Ballet Festival in Brazil she was awarded a silver medal for her pas de deux and the Marcia Haydee award for best female dancer. She defected to the United States in 1991, where she danced with several companies such as Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico and Sarasota Ballet. She first danced with Ballet Etudes of South Florida in 1994 and since then has danced the most recognized principal roles in classical ballet as well as premiered a variety of original works choreographed specifically for her. She has been partnered by internationally renowned dancers like Wes Chapman, Charles Askegard, Marcelo Gomes, Gennadi Saveliev, Nikolai Hjubbe, and now Jose Manuel Carreno. In 2010 she was named Ballet Mistress of Ballet Etudes of South Florida. |
 | Jose Manuel Carreno - Jose Manuel Carreno received his training in his native Cuba at the National Ballet School. He won the Gold Medal at the New York International Ballet Competition in 1987 and the Grand Prix at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi in 1990. He has performed leading roles with the English National Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and toured extensively with other companies before joining American Ballet Theatre in 1995, where he recently retired as Principal Dancer in June 2011. |
 | Jose Rodriguez - Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Jose Rodriguez started his dance career with the Ballet Teatro Musical de Ponce. In 1995 he joined Ballet de San Juan as a soloist. In 1997, he joined Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, became a soloist in 1999, and was promoted to principal dancer in 2002. Today he is a principal dancer and Artistic Director of Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico. His repertoire includes the principal roles in full-length ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, La Fille Mal Gardée, Coppélia, Don Quixote, La Bayadere, and Cinderella; classical pas de deuxs such as Le Corsaire, Esmeralda, Spring Waters, Romeo & Juliet and Flower Festival. Among his teachers are: Julie Mayoral, Joey Sarazen, Miguel Campanería, María Carrera, Lourdes Gómez, José Parés, Joaquín Banegas, María Julia Landa, and Sylvia Marichal. Anually, he is invited to dance as a guest artist throughout the United States and Latin America. Mr. Rodríguez completed a BA Degree in Accounting. |
 | Laura Valentin - Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Laura Valentin began her ballet training at Scuola Cantorum in Río Piedras. At the age of 11, she joined the Conservatory of Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, becoming an appretince of the company three years later. At age of 15, she represented Puerto Rico in the V USA International Ballet Competition, Junior Division, in Jackson, Mississippi, and joined the corps of ballet after that. She was promoted to soloist two years later, rising to principal dancer in 2003. In January 2005, she joined Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico as principal dancer. Her repertoire includes: Odette/Odile in Swan Lake; Giselle and Myrtha in Giselle; Swanilda in Coppélia; Carmen in Carmen; Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty; Dying Swan; Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker; Gamzatti in La Bayadère; Mazurca and Prelude in Les Sylphides; Spring Waters; Pas de Quatre; and Cinderella in Cinderella. Among her teachers are: María Carrera, Joaquín Banegas, Carlota Carrera, Miguel Campanería, José Parés, María Julia Landa, Lourdes Gómez, Sylvia Marichal and Lolita San Miguel. Mrs. Valentín has a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and has lead Christian dance groups. |