Our Mission

At West Point Ballet, our mission is to inspire a passion for learning that empowers each student to achieve their full potential—both in the studio and beyond. We are committed to nurturing not just technically skilled dancers, but well-rounded, confident artists prepared for professional careers or higher education in dance.

Our training is rooted in the Cuban Ballet Methodology, renowned for its strong classical foundation, precision, and musicality. We enhance this approach with a dynamic and accelerated curriculum that focuses on developing versatile dancers with the adaptability and artistry needed in today’s evolving dance world.

Over the years, West Point Ballet has earned a reputation for excellence in training, coaching, and full-length professional performances. Our students have graced the stage in beloved classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and an original adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. We delighted audiences with a stunning production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all in addition to our treasured annual tradition—The Nutcracker, presented each December.

A man in a suit holding a woman in a dress in a dance pose, with the woman leaning in close, in a black and white photo.

Cynthia and Damien
received their training at
The National Ballet School
in Havana, Cuba.

Award-Winning Excellence

Our dancers consistently shine on national and international stages, receiving top honors at prestigious competitions including:

  • Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)

  • World Ballet Competition

  • ADC|IBC

  • Universal Ballet Competition (UBC)

West Point Ballet has proudly received accolades such as:

  • Outstanding School Award

  • Outstanding Coaches Award

  • Outstanding Teachers Award

These achievements reflect our unwavering dedication to the growth and success of our students.

Two people, a man in theatrical costume and a woman in a dress, embrace and smile in front of a decorative backdrop resembling a fantasy or fairy tale scene with large shell and floral elements.

Our Journey

Damien made the life-changing decision to leave home in 2007 to reunite with his longtime love, Cynthia Castillo. Cynthia, also Cuban-born, graduated from the National Ballet School in Havana and now dances with the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami.

Upon arriving in the United States, Damien and Cynthia continued their careers at the Columbia Classical Ballet in South Carolina, under the direction of Radenko Pavlovich. They later moved north to join the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, directed by Terrence Orr.

Pittsburgh quickly felt like home, leading Mr. Martinez and Ms. Castillo to open West Point Ballet in Coraopolis, PA, in 2014. Their primary goal was to teach a strong classical ballet technique using their Cuban method, while also incorporating new understandings gained from their professional careers in the States.

Today, Damien is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, and Cynthia holds a double major in accounting and business administration.

**Fun Facts:** Damien is a marathon runner and Ironman triathlete and used to be a homing pigeon flyer. Cynthia is a professional dance photographer and hates pigeon flying.

Awards & Recognitions

  • West Point Ballet takes immense pride in having been honored with the Best Teachers Award at the Youth America Grand Prix for five consecutive seasons: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. This distinguished recognition underscores the profound dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment of our faculty in cultivating the next generation of extraordinary dancers. Our sustained achievements are a reflection of the exceptional quality of our training, the fervent passion of our instructors, and the remarkable talent of our students.

    In addition, West Point Ballet has been awarded the Outstanding Coaches Award by the Universal Ballet Competition for three consecutive seasons—2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025—further testament to our commitment to artistic excellence and mentorship.

    Along with YAGP and UBC, West Point Ballet has been recognized by World Ballet Competition and ADC IBC for Best Teaching Awards.

    As we look to the future, we remain resolute in our mission to uphold and elevate the highest standards of ballet education and artistry, fostering a community where exemplary training and artistic brilliance flourish.

  • Graduates of West Point Ballet can be seen gracing the stages of the world's most prestigious companies, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and artistry. Their presence on international stages reflects the rigorous training and refined technique instilled at West Point Ballet, shaping dancers who embody both grace and strength. Through dedication and passion, our alumni continue to elevate the art form, captivating audiences across the globe with their exceptional performances.

  • When your child walks into West Point Ballet they become one of Cynthia and Damien’s many children. Their love for this art form is imprinted on their students. There is this energy that encourages the dancers to strive for their own best. Their belief in each student creates an environment where they achieve more than they thought possible. West Point Ballet has been instrumental in helping to prepare our daughterto pursue a career in ballet.
    - Chris and Patty Panek

    My life changed when i came to
    west point ballet. I have never had better teachers or experienced better training anywhere else. In addition to the incredible technique I was learning, I was encouraged and inspired. Cynthia and Damien are truly amazing ballet teachers and humans. They have helped me grow an even stronger love for dance, and they have given me the confidence and preparation I need for the professional world. I will always be grateful for my time spent at West Point Ballet.
    - Maranda Syrko

  • Group of children sitting and watching on a dimly lit stage, some with notebooks and water bottles, shadows cast on the stage floor.

  • A ballet instructor giving directions to young dancers in a practice studio.

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  • A woman wearing a casual sweatshirt with her arm around a ballerina in a fairy-tale costume and crown, holding hands during a rehearsal or performance.

  • Ballet class in a dance studio with young students standing in ballet positions, listening to their instructor, a woman with her hair in a bun, wearing a black top, a skirt, and sneakers.

  • Two women in a ballet studio, one practicing ballet on pointe with her leg raised and supported by the other woman, who is adjusting her costume or providing assistance.

  • A ballet instructor demonstrating a dance move to a group of ballerinas in a dance studio.

  • A male ballet instructor kneeling on one knee adjusting a young female ballet dancer's neck or head during a ballet class, with ballet barres and a brick wall in the background.

  • A ballet instructor teaches a young girl ballet positions during a class. Several other young girls in ballet attire wait in the background inside a dance studio.

  • A young man sitting on the floor with hands clasped in a prayer-like gesture, smiling with eyes closed in a relaxed setting.