What Will Restored U.S.-Cuba Relations Mean For Ballet?

Cuban dancers and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, founded by Alicia Alonso, are known all over the world. Now that diplomatic relations have been restored between the United States and Cuba, opening the island up for more cultural exchange, what will that mean for Cuba's ballet scene?

Here & Now's Meghna Chakrabarti spoke with José Manuel Carreño, a Cuban-born former principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater, who is now artistic director of Silicon Valley Ballet, based in San Jose.

"I see it as a good thing. I see it as a great opportunity for Cuban dancers also to explore and dance with other companies," Carreño said. "Many dancers, they have been defecting and dancing in the United States and in other companies, but I guess this will open up the relation with Cuba, and I think it's a great thing."