Ingrid Silva | Afro-Brazilian

Ingrid Silva afro brazilian
Photo credit: Underground NYC

Ingrid Silva

Afro-Brazilian

Professional Ballerina

Website: Dance Theatre of Harlem

Instagram: @ingridsilva  


 

Brazilian-born, Ingrid Silva is the daughter of a retired air force employee and domestic worker, who was raised in Rio de Janeiro's Benefiça neighborhood.

At the age of eight, Silva got her start through dancing for a program that came to the favelas, which was dedicated to teaching classical ballet to kids and teens. She continued to perfect her craft all the way to college, when she was accepted into the Dance Theater of Harlem's (DTH) summer intensive program in Harlem, New York at 18 years old. She joined DTH almost six years later and has been with them ever since.

From the favelas of Brazil to the DTH, Ingrid's perseverance has turned her into an unstoppable, phenomenal woman.

Interesting fact: when Ingrid first landed in New York, she did not speak English. By reading books, watching movies and making conversations with Americans, she was able to teach herself English in one year.

Sources: Rio Gringa and Fields Mag