Introduction
Monica Gomez in school performance (2006) by photo courtesy of Monica GomezHouston Ballet
Monica Gomez is a native of Cuba where she graduated from Escuela Nacional de Ballet de Cuba under the direction of Ramona de Saa.
Monica Gomez in "Blue Bird Pas de Deux" (2009) by photo courtesy of Monica GomezHouston Ballet
She studied under several renowned teachers including Fernando, Alberto and Alicia Alonso, Marta Iris Fernandez, Esvetlana Ballester, and Loipa Araujo.
Monica Gomez in Don Quixote (2010) by photo courtesy of Monica GomezHouston Ballet
She went on to compete and receive several 1st place awards as both soloist and partner in various ballet competitions in Havana.
Monica Gomez in Tarde en la Siesta (2012) by photo courtesy of Monica GomezHouston Ballet
From 2014 to 2015, Gomez danced professionally with Ballet Nacional de Cuba, where she danced a variety of roles and performed internationally.
Monica Gomez as Clara in Alicia Alonso's The Nutcracker (2010) by photo courtesy of Monica GomezHouston Ballet
Some of her professional experience includes roles such as Cupid in Don Quixote, Variation in Paquita, Clara and Arabian in The Nutcracker as well as performing in several new works that were created for Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
Monica Gomez and Ian Casady in Wayne McGregor's Dyad 1929 (2016) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez joined Houston Ballet as an apprentice in 2015.
In 2016, she was promoted to demi-soloist after her break out performance in Wayne MacGregor's Dyad 1929.
Reflections
Mi camino hacia el Houston Ballet: Monica Gomez (2017) by video by David RiveraHouston Ballet
Monica Gomez reflects on her Hispanic heritage and how it has contributed to her success.
Selected Performances and Career Highlights
Monica Gomez and Ian Casady in Wayne McGregor's Dyad 1929 (2016) by video by David RiveraHouston Ballet
Gomez in Wayne McGregor's Dyad 1929. This performance led to her promotion to demi-soloist.
Monica Gomez with Artists of Houston Ballet in George Balanchine's Serenade, Rehearsal (2016) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez in rehearsal for George Balanchine's Serenade.
Serenade, one of George Balanchine's most famous works, entered Houston Ballet's repertoire in 1983. Gomez first performed Serenade with Houston Ballet in 2016.
Monica Gomez (center-front) with Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's Giselle (2016) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez (center-front) as a Wili in Act II of Stanton Welch AM's Giselle, created for Houston Ballet in 2016.
Sets and costumes were designed by prominent Italian designer, Roberta Guidi di Bagno.
Monica Gomez in Stanton Welch's Son of a Chamber Symphony (2016) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez in Stanton Welch AM's Son of a Chamber Symphony.
Welch created Son of a Chamber Symphony for The Joffrey Ballet in 2012, and it entered Houston Ballet's repertoire in 2016.
Monica Gomez as Clara with Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker (2016) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez on stage as Clara in Act II of Stanton Welch AM's The Nutcracker.
Welch created a new production in 2016 for Houston Ballet with sets and costumes by Tim Goodchild.
Monica Gomez in Chinese Divertissement with Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker (2016) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Houston Ballet premiered Stanton Welch AM's The Nutcracker in November 2016. Gomez danced a variety of roles including the Chinese divertissement.
Monica Gomez as Miranda in David Bintley's The Tempest (2017) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
The Tempest was Houston Ballet’s second work by David Bintley and second co-production with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Houston Ballet first performed The Tempest in 2017, and Gomez danced the leading role of Miranda.
Monica Gomez as Miranda and Charles-Louis Yoshiyama as Ferdinand in David Bintley's The Tempest (2017) by video by Kristine RubyHouston Ballet
Gomez and Charles-Louis Yoshiyama as the lead roles of Miranda and Ferdinand in David Bintley's The Tempest.
Monica Gomez with Artists of Houston Ballet (2017) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez in rehearsal at Houston Ballet Center for Dance.
Monica Gomez with Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's La Bayadère, Rehearsal (2017) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez in rehearsal for "Kingdom of the Shades" from Stanton Welch AM's La Bayadère.
Monica Gomez (left-front) with Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's La Bayadère (2017) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez (front-left) in Act III's "Kingdom of the Shades" scene from La Bayadère.
Welch created La Bayadère for Houston Ballet in 2010.
Monica Gomez with Artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's La Bayadère (2017) by photo by Amitava SarkarHouston Ballet
Gomez in a solo from the Act III "Kingdom of the Shades" scene in Stanton Welch AM’s La Bayadère.
Houston Ballet
Monica Gomez
Stanton Welch AM
Amitava Sarkar
Isabelle Dom
Sue Ellen Hill
David Rivera
Jennifer Sommers
