When theaters were closed due to the pandemic, thousands of dancers had to halt a career in which a year off work can make a lot of difference.
For Jovani Furlan, 29, from Santa Catarina, and Daniel Camargo, 30, from São Paulo, however, the difficult period actually yielded opportunities.
In February, Furlan became the first danseur hired as a principal dancer*** for the New York City Ballet, the NYCB. Last month, it was Camargo's turn to take the same position, but at the American Ballet Theatre, the ABT.
The double occurrence is a first and its relevance can be measured by the importance of these institutions in the dance scene. Camargo, for example, occupies a position that once belonged to Russian Mikhail Barishnikov. "There are many dancers who danced there and who have inspired me," he says.
The success of both dancers, who by means of their own hard work and talent have conquered these positions, contrasts with the current situation in Brazil, where the chances of stable employment and a formal contract in this area are still scarce.
Translated by Cassy Dias