Ana Lourdes Novoa trained at the National Art School in Havana, Cuba under the guidance of Ramona de Saa. Upon graduation, she was immediately admitted to the Cuban National Ballet Company where she rose to the rank of Principal dancer under the mentorship of Alicia Alonso. For a time, Ms. Novoa also joined the English National Ballet as a Principal Dancer.

Throughout her career, her repertoire included principal roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Paquita, La Fille Mal Gardee, La Bayadere, Le Corsaire, Les Sylphides, and La Sylphide. She also danced In the Night by Jerome Robbins and Themes and Variations by George Balanchine as well as several contemporary pieces by Cuban and international choreographers. She performed alongside many notable male dancers including Jose Manuel Carreno and Carlos Acosta.

In addition to performing in Havana and London, Ms. Novoa toured extensively and danced in renowned stages of major cities and iconic venues like the Bolshoi in Moscow, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Grand Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Champs Elysees in Paris, and the Colon Theater in Argentina. After retiring, Ms. Novoa began her teaching career. She taught for professional and trainee program levels for the Cuban National Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Ballet Theater of Harlem, Princeton Ballet School, American Repertory Ballet, and School of Philadelphia Ballet, formerly School of Pennsylvania Ballet. She is passionate about shaping the younger generation using her knowledge and experience to help all dancers grow and succeed to the best of their abilities.