Claudia Monja
Cuban National Ballet
Ballet de Camagüey
Joburg Ballet: Principal
Nashville Ballet (2021 – present)
Claudia Monja was born in Havana, Cuba. At age 3, she began practicing rhythmic gymnastics, which she did until beginning her ballet studies at age 9. After studying at the Elemental Ballet School and the Cuban National Ballet School, she began her professional career with the Cuban National Ballet. Shortly after, she joined the Ballet de Camagüey, where she performed as a soloist for six years.
In 2012, she became a Principal Dancer with Joburg Ballet in South Africa, where she performed works like Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, La Traviata, Spring Waters, Flames of Paris, and Gamzatti. She has worked with choreographers such as Redha Benteifour and Corey Baker and has danced in internal tours to Italy, Ecuador, Colombia, and China and credit these experiences to her growth as an artist.
Monja is passionate about empowering youth and exposing them to the beauty of ballet. In addition to dancing on stage, she has worked as a ballet instructor, composed her own productions, and both prepared and judged students in competitive competitions.
Source:
Claudia Monja, Nashville Ballet
See also:
Claudia Monja Is Fearlessly Making Her Mark at Nashville Ballet, Pointe Magazine
Claudia Monja Bids Farewell To Joburg Ballet, Broadway World South Africa
Dancer Claudia Monja dazzles in Big City, Big Dreams, IOL
Q&A: Claudia Monja, Sunday Times
Claudia Monja, BodyMindBallet
Video links:
Joburg Ballet Principal Dancer Claudia Monja chats to Keke Chele
We’re almost ready for you, Nashville! Check out this behind-the-scenes sneak peek into rehearsals for Lucy Negro Redux
Leusson Muniz and Claudia Monja – Giselle act 1 scene
Social media:
Instagram @claudiamon24