Junior Soloist
Alessandra is from Siracusa, Italy. She started training in her hometown at the age of six and then trained with the ASDC Dietro le Quinte in Catania, before moving to the Il Balletto di Castelfranco Veneto and later the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. She joined Northern Ballet in 2019.
Alessandra is sponsored by Dianne Balmforth.
Learn more about Alessandra
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Siracusa, Italy and raised in Floridia, a small town nearby.
At what age did you start dancing?
When I was six years old.
Where did you train?
I started training in some small ballet schools in my city and then when I was eight years old, I began training at the ASDC Dietro le Quinte in Catania. I then moved to north Italy for two years where I trained at Il Balletto di Castelfranco Veneto followed by five years at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. I graduated in 2019.
Awards, nominations and prizes
During summer schools I won the Special Certificate from The Royal Ballet School (2012 and 2013) and the Most Promising Student award from English National Ballet School (2012).
Career and training highlights
Performing a very difficult ballet named Glinka pas de trois by George Balanchine at the John Cranko School. This ballet was a challenge for me because it's a very hard ballet, full of jumps where you need a lot of strength and stamina.
What do you like most about being a dancer?
I really like being a dancer because you always learn something new and for each ballet you dance, depending on the role you have, you have different feelings and emotions. I also like that you can express yourself with your body and movements. And most of all, ballet makes me very happy!
If you could adapt one work into a ballet, what would it be?
The TV series Once Upon a Time. It's an American fantasty drama that borrows elements and characters from the Disney universe mixing together all the fairytales.
What is your favourite post-show meal?
I think a plate of pasta would be the best.
How do you like to relax?
I like relaxing at the beach and reading a book.
If you weren't a dancer what would you be?
I love animals, mostly dogs, so I probably have have been a vet.
Photos by Emily Nuttall, George Liang, and Sophie Beth Jones.