Inspiring, talented, and dedicated are only a few words used to describe dancer Thiago Soares. The Brazilian born artist has left his mark on the Royal Ballet, which has made him a household name, but this wasn’t an easy task. Soares, the winner of the LUKAS Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Dance, spoke to Susana Cicchetto on his struggles, fears, and how he plans on giving back to the community.
“One of my biggest struggles was realizing that this isn’t a career where you know you’re going to succeed. In reality, you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay rent or even help your parents,” admitted Thiago Soares. “I wasn’t one of those artists that could call home and ask for money. I had to find my way while developing my career.”
Soares was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he joined the Municipal Theatre Ballet in 1998. Years later, the dancer joined the Royal Ballet in 2002 as a First Artist and was promoted to Soloist in September 2003, First Soloist in 2004 and Principal in 2006.
Perhaps it was not having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth that led Soares to strive and struggle until one day he succeeded. Only after receiving many prizes, including silver medal at the 1998 Paris International Dance Competition and gold medal (and Outstanding Male Artist) at the 2001 Moscow International Ballet Competition, did Soares land in London. And even earning your place at the Royal Ballet, doesn’t mean ‘you’ve arrived.’
“I had bills to pay, and I had to help my mom. I didn’t have time to question myself or question why I didn’t get a certain job. Stereotypes were banal to me because I felt as if I was given an incredible opportunity, and I had to make everyone proud. I had a goal, and it ended up being a beautiful story.”
Thiago went on to dance many leading roles including Albrecht (Giselle), Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake), Prince Florimund (The Sleeping Beauty), Prince (The Nutcracker and Cinderella), Basilio (Don Quixote), Solor (La Bayadère), Colas (La Fille mal gardée), Romeo and Tybalt (Romeo and Juliet). While the drive and quest for perfection is obvious Thiago says that with time, he has learnt to take expecations off his shoulders
“The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is to take expectations out of…pretty much every thing. When you take out expectations you push regardless, you love regardless, you do you best you can and whatever it brings is amazing and if it doesn’t bring anything…you don’t suffe
He explains this as though he wished it were true. What’s certain is that, on ‘retiring’ the Brazilian’s ambitions have not waned, only altered. Soares explains that while everything he did led him one step closer to achieving his dream, his plans for the future revolve around giving back to the community through the joy of dance.
“I am opening an academy in Brazil next year. It’s in collaboration with different arts, making it a place where anybody can combine elite training with regular, everyday dancing”, Soares shares. “I want to support younger talents, and I also wish to create a conversation with adults that want to dance, but think it’s too late. It’s about movement and happiness, nothing more.”
Even though the Brazilian dancer is currently traveling around the world, making appearances in various countries, he assures his fans that London will always be his forever home. “I am currently preparing my second act, my next steps, as one might call them. I am still dancing, and I am still a guest dancer at the Royal House. It is challenging to sit still when you’re a dancer,” Soares chuckles.
“I feel very fortunate. I look back and realize it’s been quite a journey. From the suburbs of Rio to dancing in the Royal Ballet in London for 18 years!” affirmed the soon-to-be dance teacher in a unique project in Mayfair, London, with adults who want to learn from one of the most renowned dancers in the country.