Houston Ballet and its artists come together from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences with a common goal – to bring the beauty and artistry of ballet to our community. Get to know these artists and what they are experiencing during this ongoing crisis.
About the Artist
Mónica Gómez is a native of Cuba where she graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba. From 2014 to 2015, she danced professionally with National Ballet of Cuba. She joined Houston Ballet in 2015 as an Apprentice and rose through the ranks to become a First Soloist by 2019. Learn more about her backstory and career at houstonballet.org.
Q&A with Mónica Gómez
What do you miss about performing onstage?
“I miss the feeling of the adrenaline running through my body. Being onstage is magical – the combination of lights, props, friends and audience makes it invigorating and more real.”
What does your Hispanic/Latinx heritage mean to you?
“It means a lot to me because it is what makes me who I am. My roots and my traditions are what shape my identity.”
What changes do you hope to see in the world of ballet as a female Latinx dancer in light of the social justice movements of 2020?
“I hope talent is chosen over the color of skin or wealth. No matter who you are or where you come from, it should be earned by talent.”
Why do we need to #savethearts?
“Saving the arts is extremely important, not only for the artists but for the whole world. The arts bring happiness to people. People enjoy the whole experience of going to the theatre. It is just magical seeing it with your own eyes. Now because of this pandemic, things are shifting and we have to change the way we do it but we always find a way to keep spreading our love. We inspire younger kids to always dream of being a dancer or a musician. I think humans need balance, and for that we need certain things to fulfill our happiness, like dance and music. I can’t imagine a world without the arts.”
Save the arts today and keep our dancers dancing by donating at give.houstonballet.org/donate.
