Julia Ortega trained at the School of Arts in Holguin, Cuba, and the School of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. She danced with the Ballet de Camaguey and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, rising to the rank of soloist under the direction of Alicia Alonso. In 1989, she was named gold medalist in the International Ballet Competition in Peru. Julia became a member of the Cleveland Ballet in 1992, performing a variety of Dennis Nahat's works as a principal dancer, including the premiere of Blue Suede Shoes. She has performed the lead female roles in classical and contemporary pieces, including Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Paquita, Sleeping Beauty, Who Cares?, Allegro Brillante, Romeo and Juliet, Serenade, Tarantella and Pasadena Dance Theatre's production of The Nutcracker. Julia has been a member of PDT's faculty since 1999.