Acosta Danza Company mourns the death of ballet teacher

September 4, 2021

The Acosta Danza company mourned the death of teacher Rosa Elena Álvarez, a recognized figure in ballet education in Cuba and the founding director of the academy of the same name.

The current director of the educational institution, dancer Carlos Acosta, stated: 'it is a day of mourning for Cuban culture as it has lost a treasure; she was the artistic mother of hundreds of dancers who have kept our country's name held high'. Álvarez held leadership positions at the Elementary and National Schools of Ballet in the Caribbean nation and in institutions of that art in Venezuela.

The current director of the educational institution, dancer Carlos Acosta, stated: 'it is a day of mourning for Cuban culture as it has lost a treasure (…) she was the artistic mother of hundreds of dancers who have kept our country's name held high'.

The Cuban actor, writer and choreographer, also distinguished with the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire, also stated: '(…) she gave us all her knowledge and affection. Her example and person will live in our hearts forever'.

For the dancer 'each time Acosta Danza is spoken of, one will have to think of teacher Rosa Elena' who belonged to Cuba's National Ballet as a dancer, with meritorious work in teaching and training generations of dancers.

Through her classes passed recognized figures such as José Manuel Carreño, recipient of the Dance Magazine Award in 2004; Aurora Vázquez, who was prima ballerina of the National Ballet Company of Mexico and Taras Domitro, young international star.

Álvarez held leadership positions at the Elementary and National Schools of Ballet in the Caribbean nation and in institutions of that art in Venezuela; as well as, she offered initiation workshops for girls and boys and directed the NeoTango project, a defender of that dance fused with rhythms such as son.

According to the statement, in 2007, following the founding of the Acosta Danza Artistic Teaching Group, the teacher organized and directed the institution for its first three years.