Cervilio Miguel Amador is a multifaceted artist, entrepreneur, and transformative figure in the dance world. He received his education and training at the Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the National Ballet School of Cuba. Cervi began his professional career with the National Ballet of Cuba, starting as a Corps de Ballet dancer and later advancing to the role of Corifeo (demi-soloist). In 2004, he joined Cincinnati Ballet as a Soloist, and in 2006, he was promoted to Principal Dancer, becoming one of the youngest in the company’s history. Over his 15-year tenure as Principal Dancer, Cervi performed in numerous world premieres by acclaimed choreographers, including Victoria Morgan, Adam Hougland, Travis Wall, Val Caniparoli, Jessica Lang, and Luca Veggetti. Alongside his artistic achievements, Cervi represented Cincinnati Ballet dancers as a union delegate for over a decade.
Throughout his professional dancing career, Cervi performed as a guest artist in productions and galas worldwide and taught at various schools. He has also staged works for Victoria Morgan and Jennifer Archibald and served as a judge for several prestigious international ballet competitions, including the Universal Ballet Competition (UBC), Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (VKIBC).
After retiring as a Principal Dancer during the 2019-2020 season, Cervi transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director, where he focused on coaching and mentoring dancers both inside and outside the studio. He also played an active role in the Cincinnati Ballet’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force, advocating for sustainable change for current and future dancers.
Cervi is deeply proud to be a part of Cincinnati’s vibrant arts community. He has collaborated with Cincinnati Opera, performed in the highly acclaimed Lumenocity events, and served as the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Moving Arts from 2018 to 2023. He was also featured in an Emmy award-winning PBS documentary that chronicled his journey of defecting from Cuba to pursue his passion for dance.
In September 2023, the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervi as Interim Artistic Director. In this capacity, he has been actively planning the repertoire for upcoming seasons, curating and commissioning new works, and collaborating with the leadership team to shape his artistic vision for the company. Additionally, Cervi has been instrumental in fostering community partnerships and broadening the reach of the art form both locally and internationally.
