Article | Christmas away from home : a Mexican dancer in Canada
Article from Radio-Canada Internacional - Extract translated in French by ESBQ
Read the entire article in Spanish : Navidad lejos de casa: una bailarina mexicana en Canadá
Valentina Ortega Báez travelled alone to Quebec in 2022 when she decided to pursue her dance training at the École supérieure de ballet du Québec. In 2024, at the age of 16, she took part in the iconic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker, and despite the excitement that accompanied it, the event forced her to spend the December holidays away from her family.
Valentina Ortega Báez left her hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico at the age of 15 to come to Canada to pursue her professional studies in classical dance at the École supérieure de ballet de Québec.
« The truth is, I won't be going to Mexico this Christmas, because I'm taking part in The Nutcracker with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. It was one or the other, and that's what I want to do. » says Valentina with emotion in her voice, but with certainty.
A student in the professional program at the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, Valentina has been living in Montreal for the past year and a half. She has faced many challenges, including adapting to the language and leading a life far from home.
« It was literally a case of leaving everything behind and coming here to live on your own. The language challenge was difficult, but I learned to communicate. » she explains.
Despite everything, Valentina remains focused on her dream: to become a professional dancer and audition for ballet companies in the future.
The opportunity to take part in The Nutcracker, alongside professional dancers, is an important step in this dancer's career.
« It's a dream to dance with them, they inspire me a lot and motivate me to improve. » said the young dancer.
Valentina (right) during the performance of The Nutcracker / Photo: Les Grands Ballets Canadiens - Sasha Onyschenko
Lesya Samar, ballet teacher at the École supérieure and host family, has played a key role in Valentina's experience in Canada.
In their home, they welcome young dancers from abroad, from countries such as France, Mexico, Japan and China.
« At first, the adjustment is difficult: a new language, a new country, a new school, not to mention the emotional challenge. Sometimes we have to console them and wipe away their tears, but little by little they start to feel at home. Valentina is very attached to her family, especially her mother. At first, she felt sad and nostalgic. But she's extremely talented and very charismatic. Now she has friends, she's having fun and I think she's starting to feel at home. » explains teacher Lesya Samar.
Lesya Samar, who emigrated from Ukraine at the age of 19, understands the difficulties of arriving in a new country at a young age.
« I arrived in Canada without speaking the language and had to adapt quickly. Today, I try to help these girls ease their transition, in particular by preparing international dishes for them. Sometimes we do Mexican dishes, even though I'm sure they're not very similar. » she laughs.
The École supérieure de ballet du Québec has a program for foreign students, which selects 16 to 17 young people each year.
« It all starts with an audition in January, during which students from all over the world send in a video. » explains Marisol Martinez, head of host families for foreign students and a ballet teacher originally from Argentina.
Students selected by the École Supérieure take part in an intensive five-week summer internship, a prerequisite for entry into the professional program.
Marisol Martínez has been involved with the École supérieure de ballet de Québec for several years, first as a teacher, and now as the person responsible for welcoming foreign students.
« It's a difficult process, because we know it's not easy to settle in another country. That's why we seek to involve families close to the school, such as alumni, teachers or administrative staff, in welcoming these young people. » explains Marisol.