Tell us about your dance studies
I started with modern dance when I was 10.
I really liked dancing and moving with the music... Since the beginning I understood that I would do this in my life.
When I was 16 I met Maestro Ugo Ranieri, who recognized in me a predisposition that went beyond modern dance and he convinced me to audition for the dance school of the Teatro San Carlo in Naples... and this is exactly the way how I started my academic journey.
After one year in Naples, I won a scholarship for the dance school of the Rome Opera House and so I moved to the capital to continue my studies until I graduated.
Tell us about your experience in Teatro alla Scala in Milan
My experience at the Teatro alla Scala began in August 2015, immediately after graduating.
I remember that on the first day I felt so small, in such a big theater, with such an important history.
Being a dancer at La Scala is a great honor for me.
I experienced a flood of positive and negative emotions that led me to be the person and dancer I am today. Living every day with so much talent and so much beauty... I realize that it is a great privilege.
I started by working my way up, for the first few months or perhaps for the first year I entered the scene only to replace absent colleagues, then slowly, I got my place, my space and the first roles arrived as Soloist and Principal dancer, dancing alongside international stars such as Roberto Bolle, Svetlana Zakarova, Alessandra Ferri, Polina Semionova.
Do you have a favorite repertoire?
I like to dance everything!
Then if you ask me if I have any preferences… of course.
I feel more at ease when I have to face a more recent repertoire, narrative ballets where I recognize myself and I am able to express myself more.
Is there a role you danced, that will always stay in your heart?
I believe that every ballet and every role leaves you something.
Such as Septimus in Woolf Works by Wayne McGregor, Gaston Rieux in La Dame aux Camelias by John Neumeier, Barre Project by William Forsythe... but one that is truly the heartfelt role is certainly Maurice Béjart's Boléro… such an intimate but at the same time powerful, visceral role.
Do you have a favorite choreographer?
I have many favorite choreographers… I can’t choose!
I love Neumeier, Cranko, McMillan, but also Béjart, Van Manen, Kylián, Bigonzetti, Dawson, McGregor.
How do you keep in shape?
Living a healthy and balanced life, from all points of view, especially about physical training and nutrition.
What do you think about the Italian dance scene?
I believe that in Italy not enough value is given to art and culture and especially to ballet.
What are you doing when you are not working?
When I'm not working, I really enjoy travelling, meeting new people and cultures.
Also, I love spending my days with the people I love, my friends and my family.
Photos: Armand Sallabanda / Alma Hani, Teatro alla scala (Marco Brescia/ Rudy Amisano)