Virginia Beach
Ballet Academy
Virginia Beach Ballet History
Virginia Beach Ballet Academy Studio located in Virginia Beach, VA
The Martinez family’s connection with ballet dates back to the 1940s when Maria Teresa Martinez (better known as Teresa Martinez) and her brother Enrique Martinez started ballet training at the National Ballet of Cuba, founded by Alicia Alonso in Havana, Cuba. Under the guidance of Albert and Fernando Alonso, they received exceptional classical ballet education while their mother, Angelina Martinez-Radillo, contributed to the company as a costume designer and seamstress.
​In the mid-1940s, Enrique moved to New York City, NY after securing a position with the American Ballet Theater (ABT). During his time there, he progressed from Corps de Ballet to Principal where he performed in major classical and neo-classical works. He transitioned to roles within the artistic team, serving as ballet master, choreographer, and eventually, as the company’s assistant director. While at ABT, Enrique choreographed several pieces, with his version of Coppélia being most noteworthy.
While Enrique danced in New York, Theresa remained in Havana to dance with the National Ballet of Cuba. Throughout this time, she performed in both classical and neo-classical ballets. In 1964, Teresa welcomed her daughter, Ana Maria Martinez. Later, in the late 1960s, Teresa, Angelina, and Ana Maira fled Cuba to settle in Norfolk, VA where they joined Teresa’s brothers.
Enrique Martinez
Teresa & Enrique Martinez
Soon after their arrival in Norfolk, Teresa began teaching at the Norfolk Civic Ballet, under the direction of Gene Hammitt. She also taught at various studios across Hampton Roads and beyond. During this period, she started teaching her daughter, Ana Maria, who later pursued a professional dance career in Venezuela and Minnesota. In 1985, Teresa Martinez rented a business space on Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach, VA, and with the help of her brothers, she established her own studio–the Virginia Beach Ballet Academy (VBBA). As owner and artistic director of VBBA, she provided high quality classical ballet education, and also taught other dance styles including jazz and modern. Although she had other instructors throughout the years, Teresa and Enrique were the primary providers of the ballet education taught at VBBA, and even organized an annual spring performance.
In 1990, Ana Maira returned home from Minnesota and began teaching alongside her mother as co-director of the studio. They worked together for less than a decade before Teresa decreased her teaching duties while still remaining involved in the business, often providing corrections while Ana Maria led the sessions. Enrique Martinez passed away in 1998, followed by Teresa in 2008. After this monumental loss, Ana Maria took over VBBA as the sole artistic director with a desire to keep her family’s legacy alive.