We recently caught up with Soloist, Letícia Dias to discuss all things Ballet, her aspirations for the future and how she came to find her lifelong love for dance. 

Brazilian ballerina Letícia Dias is now a First Soloist at The Royal Ballet having started her journey with the company in 2016.

Letícia's ballet career has seen her perform in world-renowned ballets such as Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, and she has recently been cast as The Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker which will be performed at The Royal Opera House during Christmas 2022. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to speak to her about her life as a ballet dancer so far.

Hi Letícia, it's great to be here with you today. Please could you introduce yourself?

Hello, my name is Letícia Dias. I am 25 years old. I come from Rio de Janeiro in Brasil and I have lived in London for 10 years now. I joined the Royal Ballet School in 2013 and I have been in the company for 7 years now.

When did you first start dancing?

I first started dancing when I was 4 years old back at home in Brasil. My Mum put me in ballet classes just as a hobby whilst she was working, and I have been dancing ever since. It was only twice a week back then, but when I turned 9 I joined a ballet school where I did ballet every day of the week. It started getting more and more serious from there.

What was your biggest inspiration to become a professional dancer?

My biggest inspiration to become a Ballet dancer was my Ballet teacher back at home. My Mum also inspired me as she used to be a dancer. She always tried to show me what dance could do and how it could make you feel when you hear that applause. I always had this idea of being on stage and enjoying that moment. As for my ballet teacher, she taught me so much about dance and created this dream for me.

What is your dream role to play?

My dream role to play is Juliet in the biggest, most amazing romantic story that is Romeo and Juliet. In my company, we do the Kenneth MacMillan version which is a very inspiring, gorgeous production. I have been dreaming about it since I got to learn it. Hopefully in a couple of years I will be able to perform it. That would be a dream come true.

What BLOCH pointe shoes do you wear?

So, the BLOCH shoe that I wear at the moment is custom-made and it’s a version of the Serenade shoe*. Bob Martin made some alterations to the Serenade style so that they fit me perfectly, and I have been wearing them for about five years now. 

What’s your main goal for your dance career?

I think the main goal for my career would be to one day become a principal ballerina at The Royal Ballet where I am now as it’s an amazing company. Even if I don’t make it to the top, I would just love to be recognised by dancers and inspiring others whilst performing amazing roles. Telling stories through dance and learning from previous principal dancers at the company is what I love. I would just love to be involved in bigger things and telling bigger stories.