Jonathan Dos Santos

for DanceAuditionss Magazine

- Tell us about your dance studies 

I started dancing when I was ten years old in Barra Bonita , São Paulo , Brazil. After that I danced in several different schools and cities in Brazil such as Jundiaí and São Paulo. The last stop as student was in two schools in Vancouver , Canada. Pacific dance art and RNB. 

- Tell us about your dance career 

When I was eighteen I had my first job as a dancer in Sao José dos Campos , Brazil for a production of Nutcracker. My first job in Europe was right after that in Nordhausen  where I stayed for two seasons. After that four years in Halle an der Saale and six  years with Gauthier Dance in Stuttgart. 

- Tell us your experience with the Gauthier Dance Company

I consider my time in Gauthier the best years of my career. It was fantastic travelling the world while performing pieces from the choreographers I always dreamed of  . But more than that , it was also the period of my life where I found myself as a dancer and human being . And last but not least the family I created with the other dancers. It was a very magical time in which I met people that I know will be my friends for the rest of my life. I am very thankful to Eric for giving me all that.


- When did you start choreographing? And what was your first creation? 

Since I was a little kid I remember myself  gathering my brother  and friends  at the school to "create" dance numbers. It was already in me before I even went to Ballet school.

After starting ballet school at the age of ten,  I can then say that it started to become a little more serious.  Whenever I started dancing professionally I would always  take the opportunities to create for the Company in the "young choreographers " evening.    

- Tell us about your experience as a ballet master

The position of a ballet master is one of the hardests , if not the hardest. I definitely learned a lot  and have to confess that personally  it was more rewarding than being a dancer. I could feel at the end of the day that I could create a positive impact every day again and again . I am very thankful for the experience. 

- This season you are the director of the ballet department of Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater, how did you feel when you got the news? 

It was a mixture of feelings and emotions . It was a dream coming true but it happened in an unexpected moment and under unwanted circumstances .

- How is it to be a director of a company? 

Is the most happy I have ever been. I like how it feels If I can do something good for the dancers. I envision beautiful things for the Company and it feels great every second I am able to invest my energy towards that. Regardless of the challenges and difficulties I face everyday I still feel good in my own skin. It feels right.   

- What is your last creation and what was it about?

I just created "Winter " . It's part of our evening called "Four Seasons Recomposed ". Which I share with other three choreographers, Craig Davidson, Ana Isabel Casquilho and Juanjo Arques.  " and it's just about my own experiences during winter in Germany or with my family in Brazil. 

- Tell us about your next projects 

My priority now  is definitely being the best director I can. 

For this season 24/25 I will  still choreograph Dido and Aeneas for Ballet Schwerin and  a piece for the Ballet of the Salzburger Landestheater. 

Planning our Ballet Gala which will be happening in May 2025 and already planning our season 25/26 which will be the first season that I can fully plan.


 - From where/what do you get inspired for your creations?

Normally by the music or by the dancers . 

When I hear music that moves me , that feeling will be the one I will try to transport to whoever is watching the piece.

In the case of getting inspired by a dancer, it's absolutely amazing when you find someone who gets you and just naturally inspires you to create .

- Do you still have some dreams to realize?

I hope I never stop dreaming .
I don't normally have one big dream , instead I have the feeling that everyday life gives me accomplished dreams that sometimes I didnt even know existed.

- What are you doing when you are not working? 

It's definitely difficult sometimes to leave work at work and I find myself working in my free time. However  I love when I find moments where I do absolutely nothing. And of course spending time with my cat Linda, is one of my favorite things in the world.


Photo 1 from Admill Kuyler

Photos 2 and 3 from Yan Revazov