While the former Soviet Union obviously had a major impact on Cuban life for many years, including the arts, Alonso says she doesn't see a huge Russian imprint on Cuban ballet.

"Not really. My father and uncle made a study of techniques in different schools to develop what is now the 'Cuban school'," she says. "They took big jump from the Russians, flirting and passion from the Italians－and a lot of beats with your feet from the Danish school. So it's a mixture of everything from the other schools, which are very old. This is a new one, and seems to be working very well.

"Cubans, we are fiery and like to dance－full of joy."

Alonso says she feels lucky to be working at what she likes.

"I get to travel because of it－and on top of that, they pay me. How lucky can you get?"

Born in New York but a longtime resident of Havana, Alonso applauds US President Barack Obama's initiative to normalize relations with Cuba.

"It's about time," she says. "I have the feeling when I'm in the US－I still go for two months every year－that the people want it to be changed.

As an award-winning teacher, Alonso says she does not find it difficult to attract young dancers to a traditional art form like ballet.

"But I do find it difficult to get them to concentrate on working－they want instant gratification, not sweat," she says.

"If you want to be good at something, you have to sweat it out."

If you go

7:30pm, Feb 20-24. Opera House of the National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing.

010-6655-0000.

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