![Luis Valdes in the U.S.](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/06/luis_valdes_colorado_ballet_0-1.jpg)
Cuba is known for producing some of the best ballet dancers in the world. For Luis Valdes, who danced with the National Ballet of Cuba, it was a way out of his homeland. He defected in 2003, initially danced with the Cincinnati Ballet, and joined the Colorado Ballet in 2005.
![Luis Valdes in Cuba](https://www.cpr.org/cdn-cgi/image/width=3840,quality=75,format=auto/https://wp-cpr.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2019/06/luis_valdes_in_cuba_0-1.jpg)