Join us for a special series of interviews with prominent Brazilians in the ballet world, supporting our fundraiser for Daniel Mendonça, an aspiring 15-year-old dancer from Rocinha, the second-largest favela in Brazil. Daniel has been offered a scholarship to study at the Dutch National Ballet Academy, which covers his tuition but not his living costs.
Ballet Rising is partnering with the Dutch National Ballet Academy to raise funds to cover Daniel’s living expenses and bring him from Rio de Janeiro to Amsterdam.
In this special videocast episode Casey Herd interviews Jonathan Batista on his path from the City of God favela in Rio de Janeiro to performing on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. His story is a testament to the power of scholarships, community support, and unwavering determination.
In this episode, Jonathan shares his early experiences exploring various hobbies, including ballroom dancing, before discovering his true passion for ballet. His remarkable path began with a scholarship to the English National Ballet, which was followed by summer courses at the Miami City Ballet and The Royal Ballet School, both on scholarship as well.
Jonathan Batista has built an impressive career, joining the National Ballet of Canada as an apprentice in 2012 and then the Boston Ballet as a corps de ballet member in 2013. His talent and dedication saw him rise to a soloist at the Cincinnati Ballet in 2016 and a principal at the Oklahoma City Ballet in 2017. In 2021, Jonathan joined the Pacific Northwest Ballet as a soloist, and just a year later, he was promoted to principal.
Jonathan’s accolades include being a Gold Medalist at the 2008 Grand Prix Brazil, a 2010 Prix de Lausanne Finalist, and a Silver Medalist at the World Ballet Competition in 2013.
Jonathan’s journey is not just about personal achievement but also about the power of resilience, community, and the arts to transform lives. We invite you to listen to his incredible story, which will surely inspire and motivate aspiring dancers and artists worldwide.
Elevate the arts, ignite dreams, and make a lasting impact—join Ballet Rising on Patreon and BuyMeACoffee, and together, let’s unleash the transformative power of ballet!
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