sentences:  Legendary ballet director and educator, Alicia Alonso spotted Valdés' talent, and invited her to join the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1994, when she was 17 years old.Every year since 1994, Valdés has been a participant in the prestigious International Ballet Festival of Havana.She was named the most outstanding dancer in the XVIII International Festival of Ballet of Havana (October 20–28, 2002).