Alberto Alonso's Carmen Suite: From Cuba to Russia, and now Florida

This fall, Santa Fe College welcomes the American Ballet Theatre and the New York Dance Project to its Fine Arts Hall for an historic event. For the first time since 1974, a U.S. audience will experience “Carmen Suite” performed with a live orchestra. The ballet was choreographed by the legendary Alberto Alonso, who after leaving Cuba came to teach at Santa Fe College. Produced by his wife, Sonia Calero-Alonso, the performance will showcase the talents of principal dancers Sarah Lane and Corey Stearns.

In this episode, Vilma speaks with Alora Haynes, chair of the Fine Arts Department at SF. When the Alonsos defected from Cuba, it was Alora who took them into her home and then brought them to the college where they would teach for over a decade. She shares her intimate knowledge of Carmen Suite and the significance of it coming back to the stage.