Joel Carreño

He began his studies at the Provincial Ballet School «Alejo Carpentier» in Havana and continued them at the National Ballet School, where he graduated in 1998, the year he joined the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, under the technical-artistic direction of Alicia Alonso.

During his time as a student, he participated in several academic and competitive encounters, such as the II and V International Encounter of Ballet Academies, held in Havana, where he obtained Gold Medals.

With the Ballet Nacional de Cuba he has performed in important theaters in Europe, America and Asia.

His repertoire includes soloist roles in works of the great romantic-classical tradition and contemporary creations by Cuban and foreign choreographers.

Critical Reviews.
«...Joel Carreño, a prodigy of 21 years old, who confirmed the brilliance of his dance in his interpretation of the Cavalier in the pas de deux of The Nutcracker. [...] Carreño embodies music itself in the classical purity of his dance.»
Anna Kisselgoff. The New York Times. United States, 2001

«The star dancer of the performance was the young Joel Carreño. [...] he dominated the stage in fragments of the first and third acts of Don Quixote (by Alonso according to the original by Petipa and Gorsky). In the pas de deux of the third act, as the barber Basilio, this talented young man, like Nijinski, managed to execute moving interpretations with success...»
Philip Anson. On the Aisle. United States, 2001

«Joel Carreño, another young dancer entering the first ranks of Cuban ballet, was at his best, equaled in the perfection of technique and in the mastery of a role reserved for noble dancers. He left a mark of elegance and virtuosity in the projection of his jumps and turns executed with massiveness and without any excess of energy»
Julia Martin. El Mundo. Madrid, Spain, 2002

«One must insist on the magnificent role of Joel Carreño, in his role as prince (Cinderella). He was impeccable.»
Santiago Castello. ABC. Spain, 2002

«...he has maintained a pure line, beautiful arches and a physical elasticity that he has displayed for years as a noble classical dancer.»
Anna Kisselgoff. The New York Times. United States, 2003

«Carreño's profound and emotional interpretation confirms that he is another great artist of the Carreño dynasty, passion appears contained within his intelligent and lucid dance and his wonderful accompaniment.»
Ismene Brown. The Daily Telegraph. England, 2005.

In Don Quixote: «He is attractive, youthful and mischievous, with a light jump and the pleasant habit of doing an additional turn in each movement or in each jump to win the approval of the audience».
Sarah Crompton. The Daily Telegraph. England, 2006

«Joel Carreño is an Albrecht par excellence, who knew how to captivate with his projection and technical mastery in turns and jumps, the attention of those present»
Laura Domingo Agüero. Culture-Actualité. France, 2007.