Atlanta Ballet company dancers Luiz Fernando Xavier and Larissa Capitanio Dal’Santo. (Photographs by Kim Kenney)
Every year, when the weather gets warmer and the days grow long, the company dancers of the Atlanta Ballet jet off to exotic locations, devote themselves to other hobbies and pastimes and spend time with friends and loved ones. Here at ArtsATL, we wanted to know more about how these talented dancers spend their summers, so we bring to you a new series called Summer Stories.
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“In a very literal sense, dance brought us together,” said Larissa Capitanio Dal’Santo of her relationship with fellow Atlanta Ballet company member Luiz Fernando Xavier. The dancers met in ballet school 11 years ago, and both started with the Atlanta Ballet during the 2022-23 season. The two are solid supporters of one another both on stage and off. “Our bond became the foundation for everything that followed, both in our lives and our careers,” said Dal’Santo.
Dal’Santo first started dancing ballet when she was only 3 years old, and it was an opportunity to perform in the premiere of a major production of The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre School in 2021 that inspired her to pursue dance professionally. Staged by Vladimir Vassiliev, the performance was the biggest production that Dal’Santo had ever been a part of, and her experience dancing the French Dance, a pas de trois in the second act, was instrumental in pushing her to get serious about dance. “The whole experience, from the daily intense rehearsals to the artistry and excitement Mr. Vassiliev brought to the process, solidified for me that this was what I wanted to do,” she recalled.
Xavier’s path to professional ballet began at the age of 9 when he was involved in a multidisciplinary social project at the Municipal Dance School — “Iracema Nogueira.” Though at the time he was more interested in learning capoeira and martial arts, ballet was part of the program and he took it seriously, dedicating himself to improving in his practice. A few years later, he was able to join master classes with some of the top companies and met professional male dancers for the first time. “Those opportunities really opened my eyes to the idea that dance could be more than just a hobby; it could actually be a career,” said Xavier. “By then, my love for ballet had already started to grow, so I decided to take it seriously. From that moment on, everything changed. I knew ballet was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.”
Both dancers are originally from Brazil, and navigating life in the United States has posed challenges such as learning the language and acclimating to the culture. Throughout every speed bump or hurdle, the two show up for one another and support each other. “Whether we’re in a rehearsal or just dealing with life offstage, we are each other’s biggest supporters, and that’s why we’re not afraid to take on new challenges and thrive.”
Shared needs also inspired the two to start Ballet Couple, a platform for connecting with fellow dancers to share their experiences and insights. “The idea truly came to life during the pandemic,” said Dal’Santo. At the time, they were in Russia and feeling quite isolated away from family and friends, so they used that time and energy to launch their program online. “Sharing to a Brazilian audience an authentic look into the life of a professional ballet dancer and curiosities of living and working abroad continues to be the focus of our content on social media,” she continued.
Over the course of the last three years, Ballet Couple has grown and become well-known within the Brazilian ballet community and has led to collaboration with brands such as the Brazilian dancewear company Capezio. Their first products are now available in the store and online. Additionally, Ballet Couple has presented more than 20 workshops which have served more than 1,000 participants, and the expansion of their educational offerings online is high on their list of priorities.
Over the summer, Dal’Santo and Xavier returned to Brazil both to reconnect with their family and friends and to participate in the 42nd annual Joinville Dance Festival. Last year, they participated as influencers and hosts of the official podcast, but this year they hosted their own events sponsored by Capezio. Their programming included Ballet Couple workshops held at the Bolshoi School, which welcomed more than 100 participants, as well as a Q&A session with ballet influencers and meet-and-greet opportunities throughout the Festival.
While it’s undeniable that Ballet Couple’s influence continues to grow through partnerships in Brazil, it was also important for them to reconnect with their loved ones. One of the most memorable experiences of the summer was a family road trip with their parents and siblings to Gramado. “It’s crucial for us to stay connected to our roots and enjoy time with our family and friends,” Dal’Santo said. “We love reconnecting with the warm Brazilian culture, from its nature to its incredible food.”
