Born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, Jaciel Gomez Valdes began his ballet training at the Provincial School of Arts at the age of nine, where he built the strong foundation that shaped his career. In 2001, he was accepted into the prestigious Cuban National Ballet School, refining his powerful jumps, exceptional turns, and expressive artistry. He participated in international ballet competitions, excelling among his peers, and graduated in 2005 as one of the top dancers in his class with a Professional Dancer and Teacher diploma.
That same year, he joined the renowned National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso. There, he had the privilege of working and sharing the stage with Carlos Acosta, one of the world’s greatest male dancers, from whom he learned invaluable lessons. He also worked with esteemed choreographers such as Alberto Alonso, further developing his artistic depth.
In 2006, Jaciel was promoted to Soloist, performing principal roles in iconic ballets such as Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and more. His talent and stage presence led him to perform on international stages across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Australia, representing the excellence of Cuban ballet worldwide.
In 2011, he joined Alberta Ballet, where he advanced to Principal Dancer under the direction of Jean Grand-Maître, where he expanded his repertoire and worked with celebrated choreographers including Ben Stevenson, Edmund Stripe, David Nixon and Stanton Welch. During his four seasons with the company, he performed in productions such as Love Lies Bleeding, Class Act, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Balletlujah, and danced leading roles including Basilio in Don Quixote, Albrecht in Giselle, and Othello in Othello. Critics praised his technical brilliance, charisma, and emotional depth, often describing his movement as “thrilling… seemingly suspended in mid grand jeté.”
After retiring as a professional dancer in 2015, Jaciel transitioned into his true passion—teaching. Currently, he serves as the Artistic Director of Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society, where he remains dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of classical ballet. His mission is to ensure that ballet remains vibrant, accessible, and inspiring for future generations. His teaching philosophy balances discipline and confidence, inspiring students to push their limits while embracing artistry.
“Don’t think, just do it. Trust your training, trust your body, and let the artistry take over.”
Jaciel Gomez.
Jaciel Gomez
Founder/ Artistic Director/ Principal Ballet Instructor.
