Alberto Alfonso

Alberto Alfonso was born in Havana, Cuba and spent his life as a dancer, ballet master, and choreographer. Alberto founded the National Ballet of Cuba with his brother and sister-in-law in 1948. Alfsonso received asylum from the United States in 1993 and remained in Gainesville, Florida until his death. He became the master artist in residence at Santa Fe Community College and resident dance choreographer at Santa Fe Dance Theater. Alfonso is best known internationally for his work “Carmen Suite,” in 1967. It was the first role created for Bolshoi Ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya. His style was controversial in the late 1960s, but it has endured.