Tell us about your dance journey
My journey in the dance world began at the tender age of 10 when I took my first ballet class in a private dance school in the south of Italy. Little did I imagine that this would mark the beginning of a beautiful career that would take me across continents and stages.
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and experience, I pursued my dance education in Germany,completing my education first at the prestigious Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich and then at the renowned Palucca Schule in Dresden.
Fresh out of graduation, I embarked on my professional journey, making my debut at the Moravian Silesian National Theatre in the Czech Republic. From there, I ventured to Bulgaria, where I immersed myself in the rich classical repertoire of the Sofia Opera and Ballet under the direction of Sara Nora Kristeva.
In 2015, I set my sights on Israel, joining the esteemed ranks of the Israel Ballet in Tel Aviv. Here, amidst the vibrant cultural tapestry of the city, I had the privilege of working with international choreographers and exploring both classical and neoclassical repertoire.
Seeking new challenges and horizons, I made the leap to Perth, Australia, where I found myself embraced by the dynamic community of the West Australian Ballet. Over three very important years, I collaborated with renowned choreographers such as Kryzstoph Pastor, Anna Bella Ochoa Lopez, and Eric Gauther, each experience pushing me to new heights of artistry.
In 2019, I embarked on a new chapter in Canada, joining the esteemed Les Grands Ballets Canadiens under the visionary leadership of Ivan Cavallari. For five unforgettable years, I worked in Montreal dancing classical and contemporary repertoire of world renowned choreographers ,before retiring in 2023.
As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and opportunities that have shaped me as an artist and individual. Though my days on stage may have come to an end, my love for dance remains undiminished, guiding me forward into new adventures and endeavors, allowing me to share my knowledge, experience and network of connections to the young generation.
How did you create GCDANCEVENTS and which is the goal?
Having left my country at a very early age and always possessing a passion and talent for languages, I've consistently assisted colleagues, friends, and other dancers in connecting with organizations I've worked and studied with, as well as choreographers and directors I've had the pleasure of encountering during my career. From the outset of my career, I've harbored a keen interest in organizing events and forging connections. This drive led me to bring choreographers or coaches I was collaborating with back to Italy for masterclasses or events.
In 2019, I realized that what I had been doing until then, even if initially just for personal pleasure or the willingness to help others, could evolve into a larger project aimed at offering these services to dancers looking to enter the professional dance industry. The goal of the agency was and still is to create a leading dance agency that represents artists and organizations comprehensively, offering various services to young dancers, professionals, and organizations, thereby facilitating their needs.
What is the biggest challenge GCDANCEVENTS had to face?
I have always been someone brimming with ideas, with a mind that is never satisfied and refuses to accept reaching a final destination. With that being said, I believe the greatest challenge lay in organizing all these ideas and services I had in mind into a coherent structure. Creating an advertising campaign, a website, a presentation—essentially, building a business out of ideas—was a daunting task, especially without having a background in business.
GCDANCEVENTS collaborates with many choreographers and companies, how do you get in contact with them?
Having worked worldwide in five different companies and on four different continents with numerous choreographers and organizations, I have earned trust and admiration from many professionals I encountered along my journey. This has allowed me to establish a network of connections with individuals who now lead internationally renowned organizations. I began by working and collaborating with my network of connections, and once successful results emerged from my initial events and services, other organizations started to take notice of my work. They trusted that what I was doing filled a necessary gap in the dance industry. After four years, I receive daily emails from international choreographers, artists, and organizations seeking representation and guidance from GCDANCEVENTS. It makes me proud to see that our services are appreciated and have helped numerous artists and organizations.
Via GCDANCEVENTS auditions, how many dancers could find a job?
We have approximately 150 dancers enrolled in our year-round audition guidance service, and 7 out of 10 dancers secure a work or study opportunity within the first year. Our agency assists dancers in creating their audition portfolio, which includes professional video shoots, dance photoshoots, CV creation in multiple languages, and daily application submissions to organizations seeking dancers as well as to our extensive network of connections with Artistic Directors built over the years.
We offer personalized assistance both in person and remotely, with branches in Italy, Spain, Canada, USA, Japan, Argentina, and the Philippines, dancers can meet our team in person to create their portfolio. For those unable to visit our branches, we offer remote services, providing detailed guidelines on filming and assisting with portfolio assembly. If, after one year of assistance, a dancer does not receive any offers, they are entitled to a second year of audition guidance at no additional cost.
What are the next projects?
GCDANCEVENTS is experiencing continuous growth, expanding its connections and collaborations to serve a larger community of dancers worldwide. Over the past year, the agency has doubled its team, enabling us to dedicate specific attention to various services and events. We are currently planning new audition events in Japan, the Philippines, Brazil, and China, and will soon announce new artistic representations and collaborations with renowned organizations and artists.
Which advice would you give to young dancers?
Navigating the audition process can be difficult, requiring careful preparation and attention to detail. It's essential to start early and ensure your professional portfolio meets international standards. As someone responsible for company scouting and auditions, I frequently encounter applications lacking attention to detail. Many dancers send generic messages to a broad list of contacts without fully understanding the opportunities they are trying to apply to. Taking the time to research an organization's work and thoroughly read audition notices demonstrates professionalism and respect for their requirements. Take the time to carefully review the company's requirements, and if anything is unclear, don't hesitate to send an email seeking clarification or assistance.
Photo Credits: @federicacapodancephotography, Federica Capo
