Dancer’s daring escape I HAD TO LEAVE MY OLD LIFE BEHIND
‘I’m here thanks to my parents, but they won’t be able to see any of it’
As a young girl growing up in impoverished Cuba, Ana Gallardo Lobaina never could have imagined that she would one day take centre stage with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Performing a piece choreographed around her, it is a triumphant moment for a talented dancer who has spent her life fighting for her dream.
It is also bittersweet as her family, who have sacrificed a lot for the 28-year-old to pursue her career in dance, can’t be by her side to share in the incredible moment.
“It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my career to have something choreographed on me and I want them in the audience, so it’s hard to know that’s not going to happen,” Ana shares. “I am here thanks to them, but they won’t be able to
