Ballet San Antonio couple finds love on stage

Vianca Palacios and Zachary Bennett will dance in the company's upcoming production of 'Cinderella'

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Ballerina Vianca Palacios and her husband Zachary Bennett, who are both members of Ballet San Antonio, will perform in the company's upcoming production of 'Cinderella.' The couple, who met as students at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School in Florida, have been dancing together since 2019 and say their personal relationship helps with their professional partnership on stage.

Why it matters

The story of Palacios and Bennett's real-life romance blossoming from their work as dance partners highlights the unique challenges and benefits of being both romantic and professional partners in the highly competitive world of ballet.

The details

Palacios, a Ballet San Antonio soloist, initially had a rule against dating fellow dancers, but that changed when she met Bennett. The two started dating shortly after working on a love story piece together at the Sarasota school. After a year apart when Bennett joined Milwaukee Ballet II, the couple reunited and both won positions with Ballet San Antonio in 2019. Since then, they've danced together in several productions, including 'The Nutcracker' and 'Alice in Wonderland.'

  • Palacios and Bennett have been together since 2018.
  • The couple got married in 2024 in Palacios' native Puerto Rico.
  • Palacios and Bennett have danced with Ballet San Antonio since 2019.

The players

Vianca Palacios

A Ballet San Antonio soloist who started taking dance lessons at age 3.

Zachary Bennett

A member of Ballet San Antonio's corps de ballet who started dancing at age 16.

Ballet San Antonio

The professional ballet company that Palacios and Bennett are both members of.

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What they’re saying

“I went from saying I'll never date a dancer to marrying one.”

— Vianca Palacios, Ballet San Antonio soloist (expressnews.com)

“I just feel so much joy watching her. She's such an incredible dancer and such an incredible performer. It feels freeing for me, even if I'm standing still.”

— Zachary Bennett, Ballet San Antonio corps de ballet member (expressnews.com)

“It's special. It connects with everything that we do together, regardless of if it's dancing or going out on a date, It's kind of like a superpower telepathy.”

— Vianca Palacios, Ballet San Antonio soloist (expressnews.com)

What’s next

Palacios and Bennett will continue rehearsing for Ballet San Antonio's upcoming production of 'Cinderella,' which opens on February 20th.

The takeaway

The story of Palacios and Bennett's real-life romance and professional partnership demonstrates the unique challenges and rewards of being both romantic and dance partners in the ballet world, where trust, communication, and a deep connection are essential for success on stage.