Lourdes Arteaga

A Life Dedicated to Classical Ballet

Lourdes Arteaga is the Founding Director of Miami Royal Ballet & Dance. A distinguished artist and educator, she has devoted her career to the perfection and transmission of classical ballet technique.

Born into the rigorous tradition of Cuban classical ballet, she graduated from the prestigious Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana as Professor Ballerina. She earned the Gold Medal at the International Ballet Contest in Rio de Janeiro, with recognition in the Pas de Deux and Best Female Soloist categories. She also received the La Ville de Paris medal at the International Contest of Dance in Paris and performed for Princess Caroline of Monaco.

International Career

In 1989, Professor Arteaga joined the Teatro Municipal de Ballet of Santiago de Chile as a Principal Dancer, working with choreographer and director Ivan Nagy.

In 1992, she joined the world-renowned Ballet Teatro Colón of Buenos Airesas a Principal Dancer. During twelve years with the company, she worked in choreography by major international choreographers and performed alongside internationally recognized dancers including Julio Bocca and Jorge Esquivel.

Founding Miami Royal Ballet

She began teaching in South Florida in 2002, bringing her experience as a principal dancer, choreographer, and coach to a new generation. In 2008, she founded Miami Royal Ballet in Coral Gables to create an academy where students of all ages could receive authentic, uncompromising classical training in an environment defined by warmth, encouragement, and genuine care rather than intimidation.

Today, Professor Arteaga oversees the development of every student in the academy. From guiding the youngest three-year-olds in Early Ballet to coaching advanced pre-professionals for national and international competitions, her meticulous eye for alignment, musicality, and safe progression ensures that the classical tradition continues to thrive in South Florida.

Teaching Philosophy

Professor Arteaga believes that technical excellence and artistic expression are not opposites, they are the same pursuit at different depths. She places students according to readiness, never age or ego, and insists that every correction is also an act of encouragement. Her students perform in local and national competitions and, most importantly, develop a lifelong relationship with classical dance.