Yaday Ponce
Creative
Yaday Ponce began her dance studies at the Vocational Art School "Alfonso Perez Isaac" in Matanzas, her hometown, in 1990. In that center she studied classical ballet and contemporary dance. In 1998, after studying three years at the National School of Dance in Havana, she graduated as a dancer and teacher with the specialties in Modern and Folkloric Dance. In the same year she joined the cast of Contemporary Dance of Cuba, under the direction of maestro Miguel Iglesias, where she became first dancer and worked also as Maitre.
Between 2009 and 2014 she studied at the University of Arts (ISA) and received her degree on dance with the profile of Contemporary Dance. During her development as a dancer and teacher she has received training in classical and modern techniques by masters like Isidro Rolando, Manolo Vazquez, Mats Ek, Ana Laguna, Keneth Kvamström, Juan Kruz, Itzik Galili and Pedro Ruiz.
Her professional repertoire consists of titles by the renowned choreographers Narciso Medina, Jan Linkens, Lidice Nunez, Juan Kruz Diaz de Garaio, Pedro Ruiz, Carlos Acosta, Samir Akika, George Céspedes, Mats Ek and Rafael Bonachela, among others. She has performed on stages in England, Portugal, Austria, Venezuela, Spain, United States, Italy and China.
She has participated in several festivals: Movements, Festwochen der Autostadt in Wolfsburg, Germany; Festival of New Dance, Balance, Italy; Festival Szeged, Hungary; II Dance Biennial of Venice; the Dance Biennial in Martinique; and the International Ballet Festival of Havana. Among the most relevant scenarios where she has danced are: Sadler'sWell (Great Britain), La Fenice (Italy) and the National Auditorium (Mexico).Ponce has shared the stage with important figures in the international dance: Carlos Acosta, Hernan Cornejo, Rasta Thomas, Jose Manuel Carreno, among other. She has also participated as a dancer in cinematographic films and television series, also in advertisements.
Parallel to her dance work, she has developed an intense teaching career.
She has taught classes and workshops on Modern Technique and has offered artistic advice to various groups and institutions: the National Dance Company of Venezuela (2010), University of The Arts Tish School (United States). She has also given classes in methodological meetings in Cuban art schools and has been part of the jury in the examinations of Modern Technique at the National School of Art and in the passes of level in the Vocational Art Schools across the country.
She has received awards personally or as part of Contemporary Dance of Cuba: Ramiro Guerra Award for feminine interpretation of the Hermanos Saiz Association (2011); Recognition for her invaluable contribution to Contemporary Dance of Cuba (2010); Recognition of the Hermanos Saiz Association (2010); Moon Award for the staging of Carmina Burana (Mexico, 2008); Lukas Prize, Latin UK Awards, for best production on UK stages.
Since 2016 she works as a teacher of Modern Dance and Maitre in Acosta Dance Company, directed by Carlos Acosta.In that same year, she was assistant of the assembly for the premiere of Carlos Acosta's Carmen in the Texas Ballet, United States.
