Daniela Cardim’s Bold Vision for Ballet Arizona
Writer Shannon Severson
Daniela Cardim, a visionary with a passport stamped by the world’s most prestigious ballet companies, recently joined Ballet Arizona as its first female artistic director, succeeding Ib Anderson’s 24-year tenure. She brings more than 20 years of career experience and a passion for developing young choreographers and students, presenting local and international productions to the delight of discerning ballet audiences.
This month, she will oversee Ballet Arizona’s Spring Mix, a showcase of diverse contemporary choreography with three pieces set to a range of musical scores — Ezio Bosso, classical Antonio Vivaldi, a live contemporary composition by Phoenix’s Thomas Mark Breadon, Jr. performed live with his Mill Ave. Chamber Players, and alternative band Radiohead.
The presentation reflects the three pillars of Cardim’s artistic vision: Continuing the classical canon of beloved story ballets like “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker”; premiering new choreographic works for Arizona audiences, both American and foreign; and serving as a creative hub.
“A company is only vibrant when there is creation,” Cardim explains. “I want to create a choreography lab for our dancers who want to become choreographers — to give them time to create new works. What makes us unique is what we create.”
Cardim’s earliest international opportunity was a scholarship at age 17 to train with the Académie de Dance Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco. She returned to her home country of Brazil and began her professional career with the Ballet of Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro at 19 years old, quickly earning solo roles at center stage. She went on to dance and eventually choreograph at the renowned Dutch National Ballet and quickly drew recognition in Europe and beyond.
“I learned immensely during that time,” Cardim recalls. “There was a varied repertoire of Balanchine, English and French productions — all sorts of styles. I started choreographing and I was given many opportunities.”
Cardim retired from dancing in 2010 and moved to the United Kingdom, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in arts management and joined the New English Ballet Theatre, progressing to assistant director.
“It was a period when I gained experience not only on the artistic side, but also working as a manager and leader,” Cardim recalls.
During her time in the U.K., she mentored young choreographers at The Royal Ballet School, taught students in England and Sweden, and choreographed in New York, Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland.
After more than a decade in England, she decided to move with the goal of being an artistic director.
“Sometimes it’s like an intuition,” she says. “I felt my next opportunity was on this side of the ocean. I applied and it felt right from the beginning.”
This side of the ocean — Phoenix, to be exact — was a community and culture where Cardim decided to make a life. The bright, sunny days are a nice change from the U.K., and she says everything “just clicked” with leadership and the dancers, who function much like a family with backgrounds from across the globe but bonded by dance. She was impressed with the company’s robust community engagement program.
“That’s a massive part of what a ballet organization’s mission should be,” Cardim says emphatically. “We need to build an audience for tomorrow, and we need to give young people the opportunity to understand. An essential part of any arts organization is keeping the light of the art form alive.”
Audiences have matched Cardim’s enthusiasm, and she notes Phoenicians’ expressive response to performances, which has been encouraging and indicative of a job well done.
“Here, they stand up and clap and cheer,” she says with a smile. “They are enjoying the performances and not watching with a cynical eye.”
Cardim eagerly anticipates the concluding performances of this season and looks forward to what is on the horizon for 2025-2026.
“It’s really exciting and I can’t wait for people to experience new things,” she says, hinting at the next chapter in the bright future of Ballet Arizona and its new leadership in the hands of Cardim’s visionary talent.
Ballet Arizona’s Spring Mix
March 27–30 // See website for times // Orpheum Theatre // 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix // See website for ticket prices // balletaz.com
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