Maylu Pena

Ballerina and nutritionist.

Maylu was born in Caracas, Venezuela where after completing the Vaganova training program, she earned a Diploma in Classical Ballet from the National School of Dance (ENDANZA). In addition to dance, Maylu holds a bachelors degree in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota.

Ballet training and professional experience

Maylu also trained at the French and Academie De Danse Montparnasse in Paris, attended to the Classical Ballet Festival in the Dominican Republic and attended to two of the international ballet training festival at the National School of Cuba in La Havana, Cuba. Later moved to the US after receiving a full year scholarship where she danced at Metropolitan Ballet under the artistic direction of Tatiana Berenova, first as an apprentice and later as a company member. Maylu attended the Joffrey Ballet Chicago School and Joffrey Ballet New York summer programs on scholarships, to The Arts of Classical Ballet in Pompano, FL, City Ballet of San Diego, Gelsey Kirkland Academy in Brooklyn, NY and Master Ballet Academy in Scottsdale, AZ and trained alongside in the The 5th Position Method Floor Barre with founder Victoria Vargas.

Later joined Continental Ballet Company as company member in 2016, under the direction of Riet Velthuisen, where she started dancing with the corp de ballet and later leading roles in the classical ballet repertoire. Roles such as The Nutcracker (Clara, MIrlitons, Spanish, Snow Queen and Flower Queen and all core de ballet), Sleeping Beauty (Temperament Fairy and Diamonds/Jewels, Lilac Fairy), Pas de Quatre, Don Quixote pas de deux suite (Kitri) Les Sylphides (core de ballet), Coppelia (friends and Prayer soloist), Cinderella (Cinderella), Swan Lake full length ballet (Pas de Trios, Petite Swans, Russian Dance Female Lead, Spanish (Lead), Hungarian Dance Female Lead), Don Quixote full length ballet (Peasant, Gypsy Female Lead), Giselle full length ballet (Peasant Pas, First and Second Variation of Willis), Le Corsaire suite (Medora), Coppelia suite (Swalinda Wedding Grand Pas de Deux, Prayer, Friends) A Midsummer Night Dream (Fairy), La Fille Mall Gardee, Dracula, Bella Luna, Carmen suite pas de deux (Carmen), Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, amount others classical and neoclassical works. Also touring Minnesota and neighbor states such as South and North Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois during the dance season. Some of her former coaches are Rita Dordelly, Alexandra de Leon, Ruta Butvilieni, Tatiana Berenova, Victoria Vargas, Riet Velthuisen. Currently Maylu moved to Miami FL where she dances with Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and freelance dances and trains with Adiarys Almeida and Taras Domitro.

Teaching and experience

Maylu started her teaching career as a ballet teacher for Metropolitan Ballet Academy, later became a ballet pre professional program instructor and choreographer for North Ballet Academy and Youth Company, later became the ballet coach for Northwest Rhythmic Gymnastics and faculty at Larkin Dance Studio during 5 years as well as a guest instructor for different competition studios and ballet academies around the US. Maylu relocated to Miami in 2022 where she freelance teaches as well as coaching wellness and mindful nutrition. Maylu has taught ballet and/or coach in wellness at EyS Entertainment, Dance Empire of Miami, Dance Unlimited, Miami Dance Collective, Hollywood Ballet Academy and different studios virtually. Through only a few years teaching them, some of Maylu’s students have been accepted to summer programs at Master Ballet Academy, San Francisco Ballet, Ellison Ballet, Milwaukee ballet, Ballet Austin, Forrest Academy of Ballet and Ballet West Summer Intensives. Maylu is excited to continue teaching alongside training and dancing.

Media and press

Maylu was part of the production and choreography of “Assemblé” for the Minnesota Fringe Festival 2016 and has appeared in The Lavender Magazine, La PRENSA Minnesota in 2015, the HOLA magazine in June 2016, The Pioneer Press in 2019 and modeled for different clothing brands such as Lingerie Briefs, Stephanie Hynes Photography in 2018 Maria Stanley in 2020. Maylu also teaches senior ballet classes, SitFitBallet, for different Senior Living Communities across Minnesota and was featured at The Pioneer Press for the work done at the Glen Senior Living in Minnesota.