Ivonne Lemus Mendez

Ivonne Lemus began her dance studies at the Provincial Arts School in Pinar del Rio, Cuba and then was selected to continue her training at the National School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba. After graduating she joined the Ballet National of Cuba, where she was trained by Alicia Alonso, Josefina Mendez, Loipa Araufo and Laura Alonso. Lemus was promoted to soloist and later joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada. She has appeared in various works including Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, La Fille Mal Gardee, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Raymonda Theme and Variations, Apollo, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Carmina Burana. 

As a teacher and coach, Lemus has taught at Coastal Dance Center, Jose Mateo Ballet Theater, and at Boston Ballet and Harbor University in Boston. Lemus joined the Patel Conservatory in August 2007 and is the Ballet Mistress for Next Generation Ballet. During her time at the Patel Conservatory, Lemus’ students placed 1st at the Youth America Grand Prix regional semi-finals (2008 and 2011); won the Silver Medal at the 2011 World Ballet Competition; won the 2011 YAGP regional semi-final Grand Prix; and won the 2011 Gold Medal in the Junior Division.