RICARDO AMARANTE began his studies in Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Contemporary Dance in Brazil and, due to his talent, he was invited to continue his studies with a full scholarship at the National Ballet School of Cuba, where he graduated. Later, through another scholarship offered by the Nureyev Foundation, he graduated and specialized at the English National Ballet School in London.

 

After his training, as a professional dancer, he joined the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the most important companies in the world, being the first Brazilian to receive this contract. He was invited to join the Jeune Ballet de France in Paris and served as soloist dancer at the Royal Ballet of Flanders, in Belgium, for 16 years. Parallel to his career as a dancer, he became a choreographer, quickly invited to create many works for the Royal Ballet of Flanders, and several European and American companies, receiving acclaim from specialized critics and the public.

 

He was selected for the New York Choreographic Institute, a foundation of the New York City Ballet that showcases today's most important choreographers. His ballet “Love Fear Loss” received a French Dance Foundation award and has been performed by numerous international companies and galas around the world. He was the choreographer for the Royal Academy of Dance's International Genée Ballet Competition held in Antwerp and was named choreographer for the Rolex mentor and mentee initiative. In 2014, he created “In Flanders Fields” for the Royal Ballet of Flanders, being praised by dance magazines across Europe.

 

From 2016 to 2023, Amarante was appointed Artistic Director and resident choreographer of Astana Ballet in Kazakhstan, leading the company to international recognition. His works have been presented in the most important theatres around the world, including the Lincoln Centre (New York), Royal Opera House Covent Garden (London), Bunka Kaiken (Tokyo), Salle Playel (Paris), and Mariinsky (St Petersburg) in addition to the most important dance festivals in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

 

Ricardo has created and remounted his works for many prestigious ballet schools in Europe, as well as for companies such as Miami City Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Idaho, National Opera and Ballet Ukraine, National Ballet of Cuba, Dortmund Ballet, Abay State Opera and Ballet Theatre Almaty, Vanemuine Ballet, Estonian National Ballet, Companhia Nacional de Danza Madrid, Ballet do Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Companhia Basileu França, Companhia Colombiana de Ballet, Arles Youth Ballet in France, among others.

 

Every year, he is invited to be part of the judging panel for the most important ballet and choreography competitions, in addition to providing several scholarships for Brazilian dancers to enter schools and obtain work contracts in national and international companies.

 

Ricardo Amarante is an internationally renowned Brazilian choreographer, considered one of the most important today. His expertise is constantly requested by the most prestigious ballet companies in the world to create, teach and reassemble high-level works. Currently, he is a rehearsal director, choreographer and teacher at Ballet Nacional SODRE, in Uruguay. 

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Ricardo Amarante's ballet is proudly neoclassical, a relief in present times. - Financial Times

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Amarante marvellously succeeds in taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. - Flanders Today

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Impassioned choreography, emotional intensity and a masterful commissioned music. - Danse Magazine Paris