SINCE Carlos Acosta, one of the preeminent male dancers of the 1990s and early 2000s, first burst onto the scene with his extraordinary athleticism and dynamic stage presence, interest in Cuban dancers has soared. Acosta had it all, including an overwhelming array of gorgeous turns and high innovative leaps, but as more, especially male, Cuban dancers began to appear on Western stages, this often seemed to be a feature common to them all – an energy and stage presence that had audiences on their feet.
Australia has its own Cuban contingent, where from 2015 both the West Australian Ballet and Queensland Ballet, in particular, have augmented their ranks with young Cuban dancers who now call Australia home. Most, if not appointed Principal Artist on arrival, have since risen through the ranks, and all are making their mark.
What is it that sets the Cuban dancer apart from say a Russian or American dancer? Is it in the training, or is
