Following their impressive showing at the Grand Jeté Dance Awards, Academia de Ballet Contemporâneo (ABC) continues to build on their success with expanded community programming and international recognition. The school welcomes world-class guest artists while bringing dance directly to local audiences through performances and public classes.
ABC recently welcomed Mikhail Zavialov, principal dancer of the Mariinsky Theatre, as an international guest artist. This collaboration brings world-class expertise directly to students in Vila Real de Santo António, demonstrating the school’s commitment to providing exceptional training opportunities.
Inspiring young audiences
The school performed for 250 children from schools in Castro Marim, sharing the magic of dance with a younger audience. This educational outreach represents ABC’s dedication to inspiring the next generation and making dance accessible to children throughout the region.
“We believe dance should be accessible to everyone in our community,” said Ana Dias, director of Academia de Ballet Contemporâneo. “Whether it’s welcoming a Mariinsky Theatre principal dancer to our studio or teaching ballet by the river, we want to share the transformative power of dance with Vila Real de Santo António.”
Student creativity takes center stage
ABC’s “Young Creators” performance challenged students to explore their creativity and teamwork through original choreography. The top three pieces from this showcase went on to represent the school in the “First Step” competition, where they won first and second place, demonstrating the high level of artistic development among ABC students.
Dance in the streets
ABC hosted a public ballet class in the street near the Guadiana River, welcoming community members to join alongside ABC students. This outdoor event provided an accessible way for residents and visitors to experience dance in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
The school presents performances at both the community center and in the town’s main square, showcasing student work across different dance styles.
ABC also participated in the Vila Real de Santo António community “glow party” event, performing a dramatic dance piece with a countdown to introduce the featured DJ. The packed city square watched as ABC dancers created excitement for the evening’s main entertainment.
International community support
The school’s “Dançar a Vida” scholarship fund continues to receive strong support from international residents living in the area. These contributions help ensure that dance education remains accessible to local students regardless of their families’ financial circumstances, while many expat residents actively participate in performances and community activities.
ABC’s recent activities build on their impressive results from the Grand Jeté Dance Awards, where students earned numerous awards and scholarships. Some dancers earned scholarships to Berlin and other international dance schools, with students engaging with peers from around the world at competitions and training programs.
ABC provides dance training in Vila Real de Santo António under the direction of Ana Dias. The school serves students from beginner to pre-professional levels while maintaining active community programming and hosting international guest artists.
Recent Grand Jeté Dance Awards 2025 Results:
First Place:
- Contemporary Solo – Tomás Bartolomeu
- Contemporary Duet “YOU” – Level 3
- Large Contemporary Group “RIPTUS” – Level 4
Second Place:
- Contemporary Solo – Naiara (Level 1)
- Classical Solo – Tomás Bartolomeu (Level 2)
- Contemporary Solo – Suri Sobral (Level 2)
- Contemporary Solo – Rita Carneiro (Level 5)
- Neo-Classical Solo – Rita Carneiro (Level 5)
- Contemporary Trio “ORIT 3” – Level 4
- Contemporary Trio “SAUDADES” – Level 4
- Neo-Classical Trio “BELLUM” – Level 4
- Contemporary Group
Third Place:
- Classical Solo – Matilde Livramento (Level 3)
- Contemporary Solo – Íris Neves
- Contemporary Solo – Matilde Livramento
- Classical Group “Spanish Dance” – Level 2
- Contemporary Duet “MAKEA” – Level 2
- Contemporary Group “ANTES DA TEMPESTADE” – Level 2
Recent “First Step” Competition Results:
- First Place – Student choreography from “Young Creators” performance
- Second Place – Student choreography from “Young Creators” performance
Scholarships and international invitations:
- Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin – Scholarship for Tomás Bartolomeu
- Alberta Ballet School, Canada – Scholarship for Tomás Bartolomeu
- Invitation to Tanzolymp Berlin with duet “YOU”
- Invitation to Contemporary Intensive, London – Suri Sobral and Tomás Bartolomeu
By Veronica Ondrejech
