Dancer defects from Cuba, joins Sarasota Ballet

    Edward González Morgado was on tour with National Ballet of Cuba recently when he and six other dancers from the company decided to take a chance at a better life,

Gonzalez with Sarasota Ballet
director Iain Webb

    The seven dancers defected, and on Tuesday the Sarasota Ballet announced that González is the company's newest soloist.
    “It was very hard, but I kept thinking about the future," González said. "I want to be the best dancer I can, and I know that being in America will allow me that opportunity.” 
   González is just 23, but started training when he was 9, so he already has 14 years of experience. He's performed in "Swan Lake," "Sleeping Beauty" and  "La Fille mal Gardée, among many others.
    A statement from the company praised González for his "strong athleticism" and "purity of line and technique." 
   He'll start classes with the company immediately.

   For information about Sarasota Ballet, visit www.sarasotaballet.org or call (941) 359-0099