Ambra Vallo: A Life in Dance
The stage lights. The hushed anticipation. The feeling of a hundred pairs of eyes on me as I stand poised at the edge of the stage. Itās a feeling thatās been with me for as long as I can remember, and it never gets old. Itās a feeling that encapsulates my life ā a life devoted to the art of ballet.
It all began in a tiny village nestled in the heart of Tuscany. The scent of jasmine, the warmth of the sun, the vibrant colours of life ā all of these things formed the backdrop of my childhood. From the time I was barely five, I was enchanted by the world of ballet. My mother, a music teacher, had taken me to see the touring company of La Scala Opera House perform Swan Lake in our local town hall. The beauty, the grace, the power of the dancers mesmerised me. I couldnāt imagine anything more captivating.
There wasnāt a ballet school in my little village, so my mother drove me to Florence every week, braving the crowded streets and winding roads to get me to classes. It wasnāt always easy. The journey could be tiring, the lessons demanding, but the sheer joy I felt as I danced always outweighed the challenges.
At ten, I was accepted into the prestigious Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome, the only school in Italy offering the rigorous training necessary to become a professional ballerina. My childhood world was transformed. I was surrounded by other dedicated students, driven by the same passion for the art. We lived, we breathed, we dreamed ballet.
Rome became my home, its ancient streets my stage, its iconic landmarks my inspiration. I explored the hidden courtyards, marvelled at the beauty of St. Peterās Basilica, and found solace in the quiet corners of the city gardens. It was a period of immense growth, both artistically and personally. The hours of practice, the constant pushing of my limits, the camaraderie of my fellow dancers ā it all molded me into the dancer I am today.
I had the privilege of working with renowned choreographers like Roberto Bolle, a man who had redefined classical ballet in Italy. He encouraged us to find our own voices within the traditional framework, to imbue each step with individuality. Under his tutelage, I learned to understand that ballet was more than just beautiful movements. It was about storytelling, about expressing emotions, about connecting with the audience on a deeper level.
Early Career
- Graduated from Accademia Nazionale di Danza with honors at age 18.
- Joined the Rome Opera Ballet company, embarking on a career that would see me dance across some of the most prestigious stages in the world. My debut, as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, was a critical success.
- Over the next few years, I had the opportunity to perform in countless roles ā Giselle, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet ā each character resonating with my unique understanding of ballet. The stage became my canvas, my body the brush, and my movements the paint that created vibrant stories of love, loss, hope, and despair.
There were moments of doubt, of course, of questioning my choices and whether I had what it takes to be successful in the cutthroat world of ballet. Injuries were a constant threat, the unforgiving demands of the art always a challenge. But there was something about the dance that always drew me back. It was in the silence before the curtain rises, in the thrill of a perfectly executed pirouette, in the raw emotion expressed through a graceful pliĆ©, that I found my solace, my strength, my purpose. It wasnāt always a bed of roses. It was demanding, it was tiring, it was humbling, but it was my passion, my life, my love.
One such performance, that forever changed my perception of my role in this art form, took place in the historic Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The theatre itself, a masterpiece of Venetian architecture, was a sight to behold. But the real magic was the energy, the sense of shared purpose, the palpable passion that filled the room when we, as performers, came together to bring a story to life. That night, I realized that I wasnāt just dancing; I was collaborating, communicating, sharing an experience with my fellow performers and the audience.
Collaborations and Breakthrough
As my career blossomed, I found myself collaborating with choreographers of diverse styles. Working with them, exploring different forms of expression, helped me expand my understanding of the art. I had the honour of dancing in ballets created by acclaimed choreographers like William Forsythe, whose work explored the boundaries of classical ballet, and Mats Ek, who was renowned for his innovative and emotional choreography.
- Working with William Forsythe pushed my technical and expressive limits. He demanded precision, agility, and a deep understanding of the nuances of movement.
- With Mats Ek, I delved into the world of contemporary dance, learning to express emotions in new ways, to explore the vulnerability and strength within each movement.
And then, there was my encounter with a rising choreographer, Alessandro Ferrero, who saw in me a kindred spirit, a fellow explorer in the realm of dance. We started working together, pushing each other, constantly evolving and learning. His ballet, āSolstice,ā premiered at the Teatro alla Scala, was my breakthrough. The performance received critical acclaim, and I was recognized as a rising star in the ballet world. āSolsticeā brought me recognition and critical acclaim, but it was the creative process, the intense collaboration with Alessandro, that truly made the experience memorable. We challenged each other, debated, pushed boundaries, and emerged with a piece of art that was not only beautiful but emotionally resonant. The response from the audience confirmed what we already knew ā that art transcends language, borders, and even time.
Embracing the Journey
Beyond the glitz and glamour, my journey has been marked by countless hours of gruelling practice, by the constant battle against physical limitations, and by the ever-present threat of injury. Yet, it has also been a journey of discovery, a relentless exploration of the human potential expressed through movement. I have encountered many individuals who have guided me, challenged me, inspired me. The strength of my fellow dancers, the encouragement of my mentors, and the unwavering support of my family ā all have shaped who I am today.
My body, a vehicle for my artistry, is constantly in motion, forever evolving, adapting, and learning. Each movement is a statement, a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection. My feet, a foundation of strength, bear the weight of dreams. My arms, expressive and graceful, weave stories in the air. My eyes, windows to the soul, convey the unspoken emotions.
My life has been an incredible whirlwind of rehearsals, performances, travels, and encounters. Yet, the most rewarding moments havenāt been the awards or the recognition. Itās been the moments when I connect with the audience, when a single pirouette elicits a gasp of awe, when the silence at the end of a performance is broken by thunderous applause. In those moments, I realise that the dance is not just for me; itās a shared experience, a conversation between the performer and the audience, a dialogue of emotions conveyed through the universal language of movement.
And then there is the moment, before the lights dim, as I take a deep breath and feel the anticipation of the crowd, that I am reminded of why I chose this path, why Iāve endured the sacrifices and the challenges. It is in that moment that the dancer in me comes alive, ready to embody the story, the emotions, the dreams that lie waiting on the stage. Itās a journey that continues to unfold, a journey of artistic expression, personal growth, and the unwavering pursuit of the perfect arabesque.
A New Chapter
For all the thrills and challenges, my passion for dance remains unyielding. My desire to contribute to the art form and share my experience has now taken a different shape. Iāve always been fascinated by the creative process, the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making ballet performances a reality. My love for storytelling and writing has been a constant companion, even while I pursued a demanding ballet career. These two worlds have now come together.
Now, in addition to performing on stage, Iāve started a new journey: writing about dance. I am working on my first book, which I hope will become a poignant, insightful, and inspirational narrative about the journey of a ballet dancer. The book will explore the challenges, the triumphs, the emotional depth, and the unique perspective of a life dedicated to the art form. Through my writing, I hope to bring ballet to life for a wider audience, to reveal its beauty and complexity, to inspire young aspiring dancers, and to shed light on the sacrifices and rewards of a life dedicated to this demanding and exhilarating art form.
With a book in progress, and the prospect of sharing my insights and experiences through my writing, I find myself at another crossroads. My journey continues, my passions remain undiminished. And who knows what new chapters await me? What other forms of self-expression will I discover? What new stories will I tell through the grace of movement and the power of words? I canāt wait to find out.
For a dancer, the journey is never truly over. It is an endless cycle of exploration, growth, and refinement. With each step, I strive to create a deeper understanding of the art form, to share my love for dance, and to leave an imprint on the world through the enduring legacy of this beautiful and transformative art. For as long as there is music, there will be dance. And for as long as I breathe, I will dance.