Ingrid Silva
Novermber 24, 1988 - present
Novermber 24, 1988 - present
Ingrid Silva is a world-famous Brazilian ballet dancer, activist, and cultural ambassador within the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Ingrid was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro and began dancing at the age of 8.
She started classical ballet at a community - reach out program Dançando Para Não Dançar which was a program training young people who could not afford dance classes.
Ingrid Silva has been a full-time member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem since 2013. She often kept herself busy with independent projects where she co-found a company Blacks in Ballet - a platform to celebrate Black dancers worldwide.
Additionally, she is involved in the nonprofit, female-run podcast podHer. The program interviews to simplify health and wellness journey.
At the age of 18, Silva moved to New York to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem on a full scholarship, but did not initially speak English and had to work as a dog walker, nanny, and other opportunities to survive. At times, her relationship with dance changed drastically with having ups and downs of being a mother.
Currently, she became one of the greatest activists as she co-founded Blacks in Ballet highlighting the work of Black dancers and providing educational resources. Additionally, establishing EmpowHer that connects women and their work.
Her greatest achievements is paving the way for dancers by wearing shoes that match the color of her skin by design and creating movements to make brown-tinted pointe shoes more available.
Ingrid Silva is important to the dance community because she is a "world-famous ballerina, activist, and champion of diversity and inclusion." She is known for advocating for the Afro-decensing community in the world of dance.
She was the first ballerina to have the color of her pointe shoes match her skin color. Additionally, she was a voice of empowerment for all women in and outside of the dance community.
13 years old: Attended Escola de Danca Maria Olenewa and Centro de Movimiento Debora Colker which were prestigious ballet schools
17 years old: Worked for the company Grupo Corpo
2012: Became a part of the Dance Theatre of Harlem permanently
2017: Became the first African Brazilian Ballerina to be on the Pointe Magazine
2020: Featured on Nike and Vogue Brazil for Black History Month
2024: Recognized by Cadillac as one of the most promising dancers and leader in modern ballet
Brandt, Amy. “Ingrid Silva Is Making Moves in Choreography.” Pointe Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024, https://pointemagazine.com/ingrid-silva-is-making-moves-in-choreography/.
“Dance Theatre of Harlem - Ingrid Silva.” Dance Theatre of Harlem, https://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/people/ingrid-silva/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
“Ingrid Silva.” Ingrid Silva, http://www.ingridsilvaballet.com/about. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
“Ingrid Silva.” National Museum of African American History and Culture, https://nmaahc.si.edu/latinx/ingrid-silva. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Silva, Ingrid. “Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Ingrid Silva Shares How She Feels Safe and at Home When Dancing Onstage.” Dance Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024, https://www.dancemagazine.com/ingrid-silva-why-i-dance/.
By Kaycee Leyson and Vanessa Santibanez