Dancer Spotlight: Anderson Da Silva
Name: Anderson Da Silva
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Company Member Since: 2023
Instagram: @andyydasilva__
What’s your “origin story”? How did you fall in love with ballet?
No one in my family was ever involved in ballet, or in any other art form for that matter. My elementary school was an arts school and offered dance as an elective class, which is where everything began. I do not know exactly what drew me to it other than wanting to be involved and simply be in the room. After that my curiosity kept growing until I wanted extra training outside of school. Everything since then has been history.
Do you have any pre-show rituals or good-luck habits?
Other than starting the day before a show with a good cup of coffee and warming up before class, I do not have anything too specific in my pre show routines. If it is a double show day, a nap between performances is definitely needed.
Ballet is so demanding- how do you take care of your body and recharge offstage?
This is very personal to each dancer, but I believe it is important to listen to what your body is telling you. If I am feeling sore, I take time to roll out my muscles, stretch, and sometimes take a hot Epsom salt bath. I like to do workouts and exercises outside of ballet class and rehearsals, but I also know when to scale back, especially during performance periods, to avoid overloading my body without enough recovery time.
I also think it is important to recharge mentally by creating space where I am not thinking about dance. I love to bake, spend time with my boyfriend and my friends, and of course be with my dog Mateo, who has more energy than I could ever match. I have learned that all of these parts of life are equally important and deserve time.
What’s your go-to comfort food after a long rehearsal day?
I have a big sweet tooth so anything like ice cream, brownies, cookies and pastries! I really can’t get enough!
Dancer memories are super-charged. How do you keep track of choreography?
I think this is a tool that develops as we grow and gain experience in different environments. Remembering choreography now feels almost like second nature. If I ever have a hard time, I go back to the moment where my mind went blank and drill that section until it holds.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about dancing- or life in general?
This may sound typical, but the most important thing is to be present and enjoy whatever piece you are performing. When I was younger, I focused almost entirely on the technical side. While that is still central to my work ethic, I have learned that the artistic side of dance not only allows you to enjoy yourself more and connect with the audience, it also strengthens the overall execution of your performance.
If you could dance any role, regardless of gender or repertoire, what would it be?
Kenneth Macmillan’s Manon will always be a ballet I would love to perform. The music and the choreography are so beautiful, and I have admired the ballet ever since I first saw it. I also love being exposed to contemporary work, especially pieces performed by European companies. Exploring that side of myself as an artist is something I am always hungry for.
Aside form shoes and warmups, what is a staple in your dance bag?
My thera-band, a bottle of rosin, ibuprofen, massage gun, a sweet snack of some sort!
Where do you see ballet heading in the next few years, and what excites you most about being part that future?
Seeing new creations always excites me about the future of ballet. Just when you think everything has already been done, someone creates something breathtaking and inspiring. I love that this art form continues to evolve.
