Xiomara Reyes

Oksana Khadarina, writing for Dance Tabs noted, "Watching the performance of Xiomara Reyes in the main role, I kept thinking that ABT is about to bid farewell to the finest Cowgirl in the company’s history. Over the years, the Cuban-born ballerina put an indelible stamp on this role, making it truly her own." In his review of her performance in Cinderalla, The New York Times Chief Dance Critic, Alastair MacAulay effused that, "Xiomara Reyes, on Saturday afternoon, was technically adept at every moment. She was at her most individual in the Act III kitchen solo. In one phrase — a pair of quick jumps and a rapid run on point — all other Cinderellas are jubilant and rapturous, yet Ms. Reyes delivered it frowningly, as if protesting her current situation, a most effective contrast to the sweeter memories that followed."

In 2015, Reyes retired from American Ballet Theatre after celebrating 14 years with the company. She delivered her final performance on May 27, 2015 in Giselle alongside Herman Cornejo as Albrecht at Metropolitan Opera.

Of her performances alongside Herman Cornejo with ABT in London, Mark Monahan wrote for The Daily Telegraph, "Accompanied by the bewitching Xiomara Reyes – spring-loaded ballon, gossamer hands – he unleashes a fearsome barrage of grand technical brilliance, as controlled as it is exuberant. Together, this extraordinary hispanic duo make the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux blaze from the stage – you grin helplessly, and can barely resist the impulse to get up and join them." Clement Crisp, writing for The Financial Times commented, "I much admired the way Xiomara Reyes and Herman Cornejo dealt with the ensuing Tchaikovsky pas de deux by Balanchine, which was to take no prisoners. Bravura. Lots of pirouettes; lots of steps cut dazzlingly in the air; lots of charm. And lots and lots of deserved applause."

In 2010, Reyes returned to Cuba for the first time in 18 years to perform with ABT as part of the 22nd Havana International Dance Festival. The occasion marked the first time that the company had visited Cuba in 50 years.

In 2001, Reyes was invited to join American Ballet Theatre as a Guest Artist, after which she was appointed a soloist with the company. In 2003, following a succession of rave reviews and major role debuts - including from The New York Times' Jennifer Dunning for her performance as Kitri alongside Angel Corrella in Don Quixote - Reyes was promoted to principal dancer. During her time at ABT, her regular partner was Herman Cornejo, though she also danced alongside Julio Bocca, Jose Manuel Carreno, Vladimir Malakhov, Ivan Vasiliev, and Gennadi Saveliev.

Born in Cuba, Reyes trained at Havana Vocational School of Ballet and the Cuban National Ballet School, where she studied with Loipa Araujo. While in school, Reyes performed lead roles in The Three Musketeers at 15, Don Quixote at 16, and Coppelia at 17. Following graduation, she danced as a soloist with La Joven Guardia, the second company of Cuban National Ballet, under the direction of Laura Alonso who continued to cast her in leading roles with the ensemble. Soon afterwards she joined Cuban National Ballet. In 1994, after two years with the company, she was invited to perform as Giselle with the Royal Ballet of Flanders. Reyes accepted the offer and spent her next seven years dancing in Belgium, rising to the rank of first soloist. During this period Reyes was a frequent participant in major ballet competitions throughout the world resulting in her winning the Gold Medal for the Best Soloist at the International Ballet Competition of Chiclayo, Peru; Best Couple Prize at the XIV International Ballet Competition Varna; Silver Medal at the Cinquième Concours International de Danse de Paris; and Second Prize at the International Ballet Competition of Luxembourg. She also performed with Jeune Ballet de France, Balleto Del Sud, Nafsika Dance Theater, the International Dance Festival in Korea, Bashkirian State Ballet, and with numerous companies throughout Europe and The United States.

Xiomara Reyes (born in Havana, Cuba, October 28, 1973) is a former principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. After retiring from performing she was appointed the Head of School of The Washington Ballet School.