meet Valentin Batista
What matters to you most?
Valentin: Passion, kindness, and a sense of humor are valued principles to me because the people I work with can inspire and make the experience phenomenal! As they do!
Tell us a bit about your path in dance.
Valentin: I am incredibly proud of my journey from Argentina to the USA to pursue my passion for ballet. I moved away from home to Houston at 14 years old to join Ben Stevenson’s Houston Ballet Academy. My dedication and hard work paid off as I had the opportunity to train with an incredible school and go on to dance with Orlando Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, and Pointeworks.
What truly sets me apart is my commitment to artistry and storytelling in my performances. I pour my heart and soul into every movement, bringing life to each role I embody on stage. I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries of classical ballet and sharing my unique perspective with audiences around the world.
I am most proud of the strong partnership I have with my dance partner Rayleigh Vendt in Pointeworks’ Floreciente. Our exceptional communication and shared dedication to our work sets us apart from others. It brings me immense joy to dance alongside someone who puts their heart into creating beautiful performances with me.
Who you feel deserves recognition?
Valentin: My fellow dancers, and Ben Stevenson. Their impact on my life and career is truly invaluable.
Ben Stevenson has always encouraged me to watch more ballet. He has brought me on trips to Cuba, to see the Carlos Acosta at the Royal Ballet. Those performances and experiences left me so inspired and helped influence my dancing.
