Minnesota Ballet celebrates its 60th season with Giselle, the romantic classic where love and forgiveness transcend worlds. Among the dancers bringing its story to the stage is Cecilia Hernandez, performing October 24–26 at UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center. Tickets: destinationduluth.co/MNBalletGiselle
A Lifelong Love of Ballet
“Ballet is my dream come true, and I feel so lucky every day I get to wake up and dance. Sometimes dancing can really express things that words cannot.”
Cecilia Hernandez, company member of the Minnesota Ballet
Born in Manhattan, Hernandez grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey. Starting ballet when she was just five years old, she fell in love with learning new dances and performing on stage.
“Being on stage is a magical feeling, where nothing else matters but giving the audience joy. I think my young self felt that magic, and that is what kept me coming back to ballet class,” she said.
When she started attending American Ballet Theatre’s New York summer intensives, she decided early on that she wanted a career in ballet. Attending Teaneck High School for three years, she completed her senior year online while training at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School full-time.
She left Pittsburgh to come to Duluth, where she is thrilled to be starting her second year. “What drew me to Minnesota Ballet is how it connects with the community of Duluth, and how tight-knit the company is,” she noted. “Karl von Rabenau and Jennifer Miller manage Minnesota Ballet like a family, and it truly makes the company a team that leads with positivity. I feel very lucky to have found myself at Minnesota Ballet.”
“I think the Minnesota Ballet has had the longevity of 60 years because of the amazing teachers and leaders who are so passionate about dance and their students. We have multiple teachers who have trained at the school and are now teaching the future generation,” she added.
“I see the company expanding, adding new ballets to its repertoire, and growing in its public interest. Our leaders have made MN Ballet a very special environment, and I can only see that growing.”
Minnesota Ballet Opens its 60th Season with Giselle
Minnesota Ballet is celebrating 60 years of dance in Duluth, opening its season with the romantic ballet Giselle. Hernandez will be alternating in the title role with fellow Minnesota Ballet company member Brianna Crockett.
“Brianna and I met early in the process and studied different videos and the history of the ballet, which helped us get a feel for the character of Giselle. Now we are alternating days of who runs the whole ballet. Brianna is amazing to learn from and such a kind person. It can sometimes be rare in ballet to have supportive coworkers (especially those sharing a role), so I feel very lucky that Brianna is an encouraging counterpart!” Hernandez stated.
She added, “I met my boyfriend, Pierce, here at Minnesota Ballet! We joined the company in the same year, and he will be my partner for Giselle.”
“I hope the audience is able to get lost in the story and will be able to escape their lives for two hours. It isn’t a particularly happy story, but I hope the overarching themes of love and forgiveness can resonate with the audience.”
Information on Giselle
UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center
Performances
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 3:00 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 3:00 PM
Tickets: destinationduluth.co/MNBalletGiselle
“Giselle” is a captivating ballet that weaves together ethereal beauty and haunting emotion. Set in a mystical world where love, betrayal, and the supernatural collide, the story follows a young woman whose tragic fate leads her into a ghostly realm of vengeful spirits. With its stunning choreography and evocative music, Giselle remains one of the most beloved and enduring works in the classical ballet repertoire. The ballet’s haunting atmosphere and emotional depth, complemented by its breathtaking score, offer an unforgettable journey into a realm where beauty and mystery intertwine, leaving audiences spellbound.
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