New York-based photographer Omar Robles is well known for his dedication to photographing elegant ballerinas against harsh urban backgrounds. Recently though, he was able to pursue a dream of his when he received an opportunity to travel to Cuba and shoot some of the top-ranked national dancers who live there. His project evolved unexpectedly during the visit, as Robles was simultaneously inspired by the amazing dance skills of these performers and “the cadence of the Cubans in the streets” who struggle to strike a balance from day to day. Robles’s characteristic urban dance shots capture the beauty and grace of trained athletes who are able to make grand movements look effortless. Robles came to Cuba already expecting to be blown away by the talent, but what he wasn’t prepared for was the extreme levels of poverty which he witnessed throughout the streets. “With an average salary of $25 to $40 per month, Cubans struggle incessantly to stay afloat,” he explains. “Muc...