Yankiel Vázquez Serra

The principal dancer of the National Ballet of Cuba was born in Mantua, province of Pinar del Río, began his studies at the Pedro Raúl Sánchez Vocational School of Art in that city, and continued them at the National School of Ballet in Havana, under the guidance of Ramona de Sáa, Yuneisy Rodríguez, Mirta Hermida, Marta Iris Fernández, Elena Cangas, among other distinguished teachers.

During his school years he received numerous recognitions, including Silver and Gold Medals in the Competitions of the International Encounters of Academies for the Teaching of Ballet, held in Havana, between 2009 and 2011.

Upon graduating that last year, he joined the ranks of the National Ballet of Cuba, under the artistic-technical direction of Alicia Alonso.

Shortly after joining the company, Yankiel became ill with a serious immunological disease, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which affects muscular strength; after recovering from this serious illness, he faced a rigorous rehabilitation process in which he began by learning to walk again and then gradually recovered the muscular strength and skills needed by a dancer of his caliber.

Following his return, he has performed with the company in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In 2015 he was promoted to the rank of Soloist.

In 2016, he performed in the Gala held in La Paz, Baja California, Mexico, and in 2017 he participated in the Nutcracker Season at the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar in San José, Costa Rica.

His repertoire includes works from the romantic-classical tradition and contemporary works. In 2018 he is promoted to Principal Dancer, and in May 2022 to First Dancer.

He is considered one of the most valuable exponents of the male generation of the Cuban school of ballet.

Critical Opinion.
In Giselle: "Yankiel Vázquez demonstrated the high technical levels of this generation of dancers, which can bring much joy to the National Ballet of Cuba..."

Cristina Marinero. Opera World. Spain, 2017

In La fille mal gardée: "Yankiel Vázquez displayed his qualities: jumps, extensions, turns, technical skill..."

Toni Piñera. Granma. Havana, 2017