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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amber Godbehere
April 24, 2024 Phone: 602-321-0492
Email: Amber@evolveprandmarketing.com
Ballet Arizona Announces Daniela Cardim as New Artistic Director
Internationally Acclaimed Dancer, Choreographer and Arts Leader Brings
a New Vision to Arizona
PHOENIX – Ballet Arizona is excited to announce its new artistic director, internationally-
acclaimed dancer, choreographer, director and arts leader, Daniela Cardim, who will assume the
appointment beginning July 1. Cardim will be the first woman to hold the position and the fourth
artistic director for the organization, succeeding Ib Andersen’s 24 years of leadership.
“I am delighted and honored to have been chosen to be Ballet Arizona’s next artistic director,”
said Cardim. “The company has an incredible pool of talent and I cannot wait to start working
with its wonderful artists and staff. I hope to honor Ballet Arizona’s past, the beautiful legacy Ib
Andersen has created, and the classical ballet tradition by performing favorite narratives from the
classical canon. We will also bring masterpieces of the 20th and 21st centuries to Arizona
audiences and become an extraordinary creative hub. We will deliver varied, high-quality
programming for audiences to experience, all while making sure the art form is accessible and
inclusive.”
Cardim began her celebrated career as a dancer at Ballet of Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro
in 1994, becoming a soloist in 1995 and performing lead roles in ballets such as Giselle, L'après-
midi d'un Faune (Nijinsky) and Suite en Blanc (Lifar). She then joined the Dutch National Ballet
in 1999, rising to distinction in the company, and subsequently performing a vast repertoire
including key roles in Choreatium (Massine), Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet. Her
professional dance training includes the Studio Eliana Karin in Rio de Janeiro, the Académie De
Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco, and contemporary dance training at Ballet Cristina
Helena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
While still a student, Cardim began choreographing and soon proved herself to be an exceptional
talent and visionary. Her first works for the Dutch National Ballet, including 3 Movements for
Cello & Piano (2006), Zaahir (2007), In Space (2008) and Two Octaves Below Middle C (2009),
garnered her swift recognition in the dance world. She was also one of six choreographers
selected to attend the prestigious New York Choreographic Institute in 2008, where she worked
with composer Jude Vaclavik. By 2015, Dance Europe Magazine lauded Cardim as a “New
Name to Watch.” Her recent works, such as Reset, Stabat Mater and Baroque Encounters, have
now made Cardim a celebrated name.
Over the course of her career, Cardim has choreographed works for a myriad of internationally
recognized ballet companies, including Ballet of Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo
Dance Company (Brazil), Dutch National Ballet Junior Company (Netherlands), Birmingham
Royal Ballet, New English Ballet Theatre, English National Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet
School (United Kingdom), West Australian Ballet, and Poznan Opera Ballet (Poland). Ballet
Arizona is thrilled to bring this caliber of talent to its stages.
Evolve PR and Marketing
4300 N. Miller Rd. #212
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Additionally, Cardim has worked as a ballet teacher and mentor for student dancers, including
mentoring young choreographers at The Royal Ballet School and creating works for their
Summer Intensive programs. She also taught students at Studio Eliana Karin and open classes at
Central School of Ballet and English National Ballet. Cardim served as a guest ballet teacher at
Studio Wayne McGregor, Rambert Dance Company, Akram Khan Company and Swedish Ballet
School in Gothenburg.
After retiring as a dancer in 2010, Cardim completed an honors bachelor’s in arts management at
London South Bank University graduating with a first-class degree. Since 2013, Cardim has
served in a variety of leadership roles at the New English Ballet Theatre in London starting as a
project manager, followed by a promotion to company and general manager in 2014, and to
assistant director in 2022.
“The Board of Directors is thrilled to announce Daniela Cardim as Ballet Arizona's new Artistic
Director,” said Board Chair, Mike Bolar. “It was her combination of extraordinary talent and
thoughtfulness in approach that made her a stand-out candidate. Her vision for the organization
will bring a richness to Ballet Arizona's already vast repertoire that will make this company a
nationally- and internationally-recognized institution.”
"I am very excited to have Daniela Cardim join Ballet Arizona as our artistic director. Daniela
brings tremendous skill as both a leader and choreographer, as well as a remarkable knowledge
of the artform,” said Jami Kozemczak, Ballet Arizona’s executive director. “She quickly won the
support of our dancers and staff through her fresh, open approach that balances both the
historical richness of ballet, with the desire to push the envelope with new works. We are also
looking forward to seeing how Daniela will uplift The School of Ballet Arizona and our
community engagement offerings through her passion for dance education. I think this will mark
an incredibly transformative and exhilarating era for the organization.”
For more information on Ballet Arizona and its upcoming performances, please visit
balletaz.org.
Ballet Arizona
Ballet Arizona is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating new and
innovative works. The School of Ballet Arizona promotes access to the art form of ballet through dance
education, with a focus on excellence in the form, directing each student to a life-long love of dance.
Following this vision, Ballet Arizona connects to more than 22,000 children and families every year
through its free and low-cost outreach programs. For more information, visit balletaz.org.
Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA)
The search for Ballet Arizona’s Artistic Director was conducted through Management Consultants for the
Arts (MCA). Since 1983, MCA has worked to understand and serve the nation’s cultural community. For
more information visit mcaonline.com.
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