Ballet Arizona is excited to announce its new artistic director, internationally-acclaimed dancer, choreographer, director and arts leader, Daniela Cardim, who will assume the appointment beginning July 1. Cardim will be the first woman to hold the position and the fourth artistic director for the organization, succeeding Ib Andersen’s 24 years of leadership.

“I am delighted and honored to have been chosen to be Ballet Arizona’s next artistic director,” said Cardim. “The company has an incredible pool of talent and I cannot wait to start working with its wonderful artists and staff. I hope to honor Ballet Arizona’s past, the beautiful legacy Ib Andersen has created, and the classical ballet tradition by performing favorite narratives from the classical canon. We will also bring masterpieces of the 20th and 21st centuries to Arizona audiences and become an extraordinary creative hub. We will deliver varied, high-quality programming for audiences to experience, all while making sure the art form is accessible and inclusive.”

Cardim began her celebrated career as a dancer at Ballet of Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro in 1994, becoming a soloist in 1995 and performing lead roles in ballets such as Giselle, L’après-midi d’un Faune (Nijinsky) and Suite en Blanc (Lifar). She then joined the Dutch National Ballet in 1999, rising to distinction in the company, and subsequently performing a vast repertoire including key roles in Choreatium (Massine), Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet. Her professional dance training includes the Studio Eliana Karin in Rio de Janeiro, the Académie De Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monaco, and contemporary dance training at Ballet Cristina Helena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.