Yairelys Sosa began her ballet training at the age of eight at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana, Cuba, under the direction of Ramona de Saá. She demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, quickly distinguishing herself among her peers. At just 14 years old, she won the gold medal in an international ballet competition, followed by a bronze medal at the age of 15. She continued to refine her technique and artistry, graduating in 2002 at the top of her class with a Professional Dancer and Teacher diploma.
Following her graduation, she joined the prestigious National Ballet of Cuba under the direction of Alicia Alonso, marking the beginning of her professional dance career. She had the privilege of training and performing alongside world-class dancers, including Lorna Feijóo, Carlos Acosta, Viengsay Valdés, and many others.
During her time with the National Ballet of Cuba, Yairelys worked with renowned choreographers such as Alberto Alonso and trained under legendary ballet maîtres including Loipa Araújo, Josefina Méndez, Aurora Bosch, and many more. She toured extensively across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Australia, performing in some of the most celebrated classical ballets, such as Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppélia, Les Sylphides, and more. Her repertoire also included works in the styles of Balanchine, Bournonville, neoclassical, classical, and contemporary ballet, which enriched her artistic versatility and led to her promotion to soloist.
In 2011, Yairelys joined Alberta Ballet Company under the direction of Jean Grand-Maître, where she danced for four seasons, performing roles in The Nutcracker (Arabian dance), Cinderella, Swan Lake, Giselle, Othello, Madama Butterfly, and other productions.
After retiring as a dancer in 2015, she transitioned into her true passion—teaching. She obtained Teacher RAD certification and Silver Swans Teacher certification, further expanding her expertise in ballet instruction.
Currently, Yairelys serves as a ballet instructor and rehearsal coach at Jeunesse Classique Ballet Society, where she finds her greatest fulfillment in shaping the next generation of dancers. She believes that ballet is more than just technique—it is passion, discipline, and self-expression. With every class and rehearsal, she gives her heart, guiding her students not only to master the art of ballet but also to discover their own confidence and artistry. For Yairelys, the greatest reward is seeing her students take the stage, embodying the love and dedication she pours into every moment of their training.
Yairelys Sosa
Co-Founder/ Executive Director/ Principal Ballet Instructor.
“My greatest joy is seeing my students step onto the stage, radiating confidence, passion, and artistry—bringing their hard work to life in every movement.”
Yairelys Sosa.
