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Is there classical ballet in Brazil?
Yes, if we check the crowds that fill the corridors of the most important Brazilian classical ballet dance school in times of new-student selections.
No, if we recognize the lack of cultural projects in this art in Brazil. For example, in Rio de Janeiro there are few seasons of classical ballet during a year, as well as opera. Despite several problems that devastate culture in that city, classical ballet was never included in large support or nation-wide touring.
Yes, if we see people standing for hours in line at the door of the Municipal Theater to buy tickets to Swan Lake or The Nutcracker.
Yes, if we think about Brazilian classical ballet training. Despite the talent, dedication and passion of each one, a rigorous training program conducted by Brazilian professionals may be the difference. There are those who say "yes" to make new vocations blossom in the classical ballet world—something more than teaching how to put on ballet slippers properly.
No, if we consider that some of the best Brazilian ballerinas and danseurs have to go abroad to build a career in classical ballet.
Christiane Pegado, Taina Ferreira and Karina Moreira are young and gifted Brazilian classical ballerinas who have the opportunity to study and work abroad. They trained at the Maria Olenewa State Dance School, a traditional classical ballet school in Rio de Janeiro that in the last 80 years has prepared young boys and girls in this art. But that is not new to them. Some of the ballerinas and danseurs who were trained at the school are working outside Brazil: Roberta Márquez is a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, in London; Ana Carolina Quaresma started in the Stuttgart ballet when she was 16 and today is at the Zurich Ballet, in Switzerland; Isabel Seabra, at the Teatro alla Scala, in Milan, Italy; Mariana Dias, Leipzig Ballet, Germany; Denise Rezende, at the Companhia Nacional de Bailados, in Portugal; William Pedro, a danseur at the Béjart ballet, in Lausanne. And Poliana Ribeiro, Leticia Oliveira and Ludmila Campos who dance with professional companies in the United States.
But things like that rarely happen. To build a career abroad means adapting oneself to another culture and language, hard work, homesickness, many auditions and disposition to face strong competition with well trained professionals. Only those who are really certain about their vocation are able to live - with pleasure - that kind of life.
Christiane Pegado is 18 years old and started ballet training at 11. Christiane took part in several ballet festivals such as the Lausanne Prix,  the Joinville Festival and the International Dance Seminar, in Brasilia, where she was awarded a scholarship by the Birgit Keil Foundation to study in Germany.
Since 2007, Christiane studies at The Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. She plans a career abroad. And Brazil? Christiane answers: "Unfortunately this field of work in Brazil is very restricted. So, if one really wants to be a ballerina or a danseur, one should find opportunities abroad to build a career. I am very happy with that scholarship, with the school and the opportunity to live in another country meeting new people and new cultures. But one day I want to be a ballerina at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theatre and live in my country. Dancing is my life and my dream."
Taina Ferreira is 17 years old. She has performed important shows in Brazil: Swan Lake at Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater and Um conto de Natal, by Dalal Achcar, are the most recent.
At 11, Taina was selected by the Maria Olenewa Dance School where she was enrolled until she received a scholarship at the Vienna State Opera in Austria.
Taina also plans a career abroad. But she recognizes how difficult that can be: "It’s hard to travel around the world doing auditions and looking for jobs. Few people can support an adventure like that. And it can be frustrating most of the time. The international companies prefer to hire those who were trained by them. But in Brazil the only steady classical ballet company is at the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater and auditions aren’t common. And ballet dancers want to dance, not just train."
So why have you started a Biology graduation course instead of Dance for example? "I chose another area of study because I think we can’t focus on just one thing otherwise we will stagnate. We should always do different things, so we will be happy with what we have chosen and not be disappointed with our choices".
Karina Moreira is 18 and agrees with the necessity to find opportunities abroad. But she wants to go back to work in Brazil: "We really have to go abroad to improve and find a job.  But in the near future I want to go back to Brazil to apply what I have learned.”
Her repertoire includes Copelia, Corsario, The Sleeping Beauty, The Flute, and Swan Lake. Karina Moreira was honored as best ballerina in several classical ballet festivals in Brazil. In one of those, she was awarded first prize of a scholarship to study at The Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts, in Germany.
What does ballet mean to you? “Ballet is my childhood dream. It makes me go beyond my own body through Art. Dancing is life, dancing is love. It is in my blood.”
In common, the three ballerinas show a kind of lightness that does not belong only to an assemblé that delights audience but belongs also to their courage. The necessary courage that only true artists express when speaking sincerely about their vocation.
‘Long life for the slippers’ is what we wish them.
The three ballerinas’ advice for a young ballerina
CHRISTIANE PEGADO
Never forget this sentence: "You should fight always; sometimes win, but never give up.” Classical ballet means hard working, dedication and love.
TAINA FERREIRA
If you are not available to dedicate yourself completely to ballet, just don’t do it, otherwise you are going to suffer! People usually say that a ballerina’s life requires many sacrifices. That is true but only for those who do not love ballet truly. Because if you love what you do, sacrifices are not sacrifices, they are choices you should take to be able to walk on your own.
KARINA MOREIRA
Be strong, discipline yourself, believe in self-effort, do not give up, overcome the obstacles on the way to your goals. Study a lot and always follow your dream.
Take note:
Maria Olenewa Classical Ballet Dance School
Direction: Maria Luiza Noronha
www.eedmo.com.br
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